Investigating olfactory dysfunction after COVID-19 infection

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study explores the mechanisms behind persistent olfactory dysfunction in patients who have recovered from COVID-19. It involves collecting biopsies and cytobrush samples from the olfactory cleft of patients with and without olfactory dysfunction. The samples will be analyzed using advanced techniques such as single cell RNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry to understand the underlying biological changes. Patients will be evaluated by ENT specialists as part of their standard care.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Olfactory Dysfunction group: Presence of evident OD (Parosmia, Threshold-Discrimination-Identification (TDI)-score ≤24, Subjective abnormal quantitative olfactory function; measured by a visual analogue score (VAS) of smell impairment ≥5/10
* Control group: No OD (TDI-score \>30.5.)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of concomitant nasal mucosal pathology that might affect olfactory function or bias the study investigations
* Use of anticoagulation therapy
* Allergy to local anesthetics

Where it's running

• Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc
  Brussels, Brussels Capital, Belgium Recruiting
• UZ/KU Leuven
  Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium Recruiting
• AZ Sint-Jan Brugge
  Bruges, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium Recruiting
• University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus
  Dresden, Dresden, Germany Recruiting
• Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève
  Geneva, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland Recruiting
• University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich
  Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Laura van Gerven — UZ/KU Leuven
• Study coordinator: Laura van Gerven
• Email: laura.vangerven@uzleuven.be
• Phone: +3216336342

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.