Loss of Taste and Smell are Common Clinical Characteristics of Patients with COVID-19 in Somalia: A Retrospective Double Centre Study

Figures & data

Table 1 Clinical Characteristics of 60 Adult Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia

Patient Characteristics Patients (n = 60)
Patient demographics
Sex	Male	42 (70%)
	Female	18 (30%)
Age	19–39	41 (68.3%)
	40–59	11 (18.3%)
	≥60	8 (13.4%)
Marital status	Single	17 (28.3%)
	Married	43 (71.7%)
	Divorced	0 (0%)
	Widowed	0 (0%)
Level of education	Illiterate	4 (6.7%)
	Primary and intermediate school	3 (5%)
	Secondary school	4 (6.7%)
	Tertiary (University)	49 (81.7%)
Smoking status	Non-smoker	54 (90%)
	Past smoker	6 (10%)
	Current smoker	0 (0%)
Exposure history	Unknown exposure	60 (100%)
	Exposure to positive patients	0 (0%)
Comorbid conditions	Diabetes	7 (11.7%)
	Hypertension	3 (5%)
	COPD	1 (1.7%)
Signs and symptoms
Dry cough		45 (75%)
Fever		43 (71.7%)
Myalgia or fatigue		32 (53.3%)
Anosmia (loss of smell)		24 (40%)
Ageusia (loss of taste)		17 (28.3%)
Sore throat		15 (25%)
Shortness of breath		10 (16.7%)
Headache		10 (16.7%)
GI Symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and loss appetite)		10 (16.7%)
Onset and recovery of anosmia and ageusia
Onset of anosmia	Before the typical symptoms	3 (5%)
	With the typical symptoms	6 (10%)
	After the typical symptoms	11 (18.3%)
	Not remember	4 (6.7)
Onset of ageusia	Before the typical symptoms	2 (3.4%)
	With the typical symptoms	4 (6.6%)
	After the typical symptoms	8 (13.3%)
	Not remember	3 (5%)
Recovery of anosmia	<5 days	15 (25%)
	5–10 days	3 (5%)
	>10 days	6 (10%)
Recovery of ageusia	<5 days	10 (16.7%)
	5–10 days	3 (5%)
	>10 days	4 (6.6%)