The COVID HOME study research protocol: Prospective cohort study of non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines on COVID-19 management are developed as we learn from this pandemic. However, most research has been done on hospitalised patients and the impact of the disease on non-hospitalised and their role in transmission are not yet well understood. The COVID HOME study conducts research among COVID-19 patients and their family members who were not hospitalised during acute disease, to guide patient care and inform public health guidelines for infection prevention and control in the community and household. METHODS: An ongoing prospective longitudinal observational study of COVID-19 outpatients was established in March 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands. Laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals of all ages that did not merit hospitalisation, and their household (HH) members, were enrolled after written informed consent. Enrolled participants were visited at home within 48 hours after initial diagnosis, and then weekly on days 7, 14 and 21 to obtain clinical data, a blood sample for biochemical parameters/cytokines and serological determination; and a nasopharyngeal/throat swab plus urine, stool and sperm or vaginal secretion (if consenting) to test for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR (viral shedding) and for viral culturing. Weekly nasopharyngeal/throat swabs and stool samples, plus a blood sample on days 0 and 21 were also taken from HH members to determine whether and when they became infected. All participants were invited to continue follow-up at 3-, 6-, 12- and 18-months post-infection to assess long-term sequelae and immunological status.

Subjective Mouthfeel and Temperature Alterations in COVID-19 Patients Six to Ten Months After Diagnosis.

Introduction: The characteristics and impact of mouthfeel, temperature, smell, and taste alterations in patients with COVID-19 at a long term are yet not well known. In this study, these characteristics and their impact on daily life and quality of life (QoL) were assessed, six to ten months after infection, in patients with COVID-19 searching for peer support on Facebook. Methods: Between December 2020 and January 2021, members of two COVID-19 Facebook groups were invited to complete a questionnaire. Participants were asked to report their perception of mouthfeel, temperature, smell, and taste alterations and their impact. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 157/216 respondents (73%), with 92% being women. Alterations in mouthfeel, temperature, smell, and taste were reported by respectively 66, 40, 148, and 133 participants. The most frequently reported mouthfeel alterations were "a different feeling" and "dry mouth" in 38 and 30 participants, respectively. Preferences for food temperature were equally changed to "freezing", "cool", "room temperature", "a bit warmer", and "warmer". An impact on daily life and QoL was reported by most patients with alterations in mouthfeel (91% and 79%), temperature (78% and 60%), smell (98% and 93%), and taste (93% and 88%), respectively. Conclusions: Patients with COVID-19 searching for peer support on Facebook experienced, next to smell and taste alterations, mouthfeel and temperature disturbances, six to ten months after infection. These alterations have an impact on daily life and QoL. Implications: Health professionals should, next to smell and taste alterations, be aware of mouthfeel and temperature alterations in patients with COVID-19. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12078-022-09304-y.

Taste, smell and mouthfeel disturbances in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors treated with tyrosine-kinase inhibitors.

CONTEXT: Taste, smell, and mouthfeel disturbances are underrated and underreported, but important side effects of anti-cancer medication. These symptoms are associated with a lower quality of life (QoL). The prevalence and the impact of taste, smell, and mouthfeel disturbances on daily life in patients with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) are largely unknown. OBJECTIVES: This exploratory study assessed the prevalence and type of taste, smell, and mouthfeel disturbances and their impact on daily life and QoL in patients with a GIST treated with a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI). METHODS: Patients currently treated with TKIs for GIST completed a standardized questionnaire. The questionnaire addressed changes in taste, smell, and mouthfeel and, if changes occurred, impact on daily life and QoL. Statistics are descriptive. RESULTS: A total of 65 GIST patients on TKI treatment completed the questionnaire. Of these patients, 79%, 12%, and 9% currently used imatinib, sunitinib, and regorafenib respectively. Taste, smell, and mouthfeel disturbances were reported by 25 (38%), 15 (23%), and 36 (55%) patients respectively. Salty and sweet tastes were mostly affected, respectively in 14 and 13 patients. A dry mouth was experienced by 29 (45%) patients. Taste disturbances were more often reported to have impact on daily life and QoL (80% and 60%) than smell (47% and 31%) and mouthfeel disturbances (47% and 30%). CONCLUSION: Taste, smell, and mouthfeel disturbances are frequent side effects of TKIs in GIST patients. Daily life and QoL are affected in a considerable number of those patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NL7827 (2019-06-25).