Recovery of Smell and Taste in Patients With Persistent COVID-19-Related Hyposmia and Dysgeusia by Targeting Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction.

Purpose New-onset loss of olfaction and/or taste is now recognized among the hallmark symptoms of COVID-19. In most patients, these symptoms resolve completely and spontaneously within days. However, some patients experience persistent olfactory and gustatory dysfunction after COVID-19 resolution. We evaluated the efficacy of a treatment combining several therapeutic agents to target inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in patients with persistent hyposmia and dysgeusia. Methods This 12-month observational pilot study involved patients presenting with symptoms of hyposmia and dysgeusia 30 days after COVID-19 had subsided. The main objective was to evaluate the efficacy of a combination of systemic corticosteroids, a glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-based antithrombotic (mesoglycan), a diuretic, and a vitamin complex. The perceived extent of olfaction and taste impairment was assessed using an 11-point visual analog scale (VAS), where 0 = complete loss of olfaction/taste and 10 = complete recovery of olfaction/taste. Results Eighty-seven patients with post-COVID-19 hyposmia and dysgeusia were enrolled. At treatment start (T0), the mean VAS scores were 2.0 and 3.2 for olfactory and gustatory functions, respectively. Both functions appeared to improve progressively and significantly from T0 to 12 months. A shorter time between viral infection and the start of treatment was associated with a more pronounced recovery of both senses. Conclusions Combined systemic corticosteroid, GAG-based antithrombotic agent (mesoglycan), and diuretic may constitute an option for treating persistent hyposmia and dysgeusia associated with COVID-19. To ensure optimal recovery, early treatment start is recommended. The described treatment protocol deserves to be further evaluated.

Attitudes Toward Collaboration Among Practitioners in Newly Established Medical Homes: A Survey of Nurses, General Practitioners, and Specialists.

The objective was to evaluate the attitudes toward collaboration of nurses, general practitioners (GPs), and specialists practicing in newly established Medical Homes (MHs) in Parma Local Health Authority (LHA), Emilia-Romagna region, Italy. The 15-item Jefferson Scale of Attitudes Toward Physician-Nurse Collaboration was administered electronically to 172 physicians (66 GPs, 106 specialists) and 113 nurses practicing in 12 MHs. In all, 191 surveys (45 GPs, 59 specialists, 87 nurses) were completed (67% response rate). The mean total score among nurses (51.5, standard deviation [SD] = 3.7) reflected a significantly (P < .01) more positive attitude toward collaboration compared with GPs (47.8, SD = 4.6) and specialists (45.3, SD = 7.7). Discrepancies in attitudes are concerning because conflicting perceptions of professional roles may impede a successful transition to integrated care within MHs in Parma LHA. Internationally, further research into understanding interprofessional relationships within MHs is needed to inform policy and build a necessary culture of team-based care.