Neurosensory Alterations and Interleukins Cascade in SARS-CoV-2 Infection - Results from a Retrospective Cohort of COVID-19 Inpatients

Objectives: The aim of this study was to relate IL-6 and IL-1β serum levels with the severity of olfactory disorders and with the type of unperceived odors. Methods: 82 inpatients (45 men aged 62.3 ± 14.2 and 37 women aged 57.1 ± 12.8) with only smell dysfunctions were divided into two groups. The evaluation of the smell disorder was carried out with a questionnaire to define which sensitivity is most compromised in COVID-19 patients. Cytokine levels were measured with chemiluminescence and ELISA assay. Statistical analyses were performed with the Wilcoxon Rank test, Welch's T-test, and Mann-Whitney test (p < 0.05). Results: Statistically significant differences in IL-6 and IL-1 β levels were found in moderate disease patients when there was an impairment of trigeminal sensitivity (p <0.05) and trigeminal and olfactory sensitivity. Conclusions: The results obtained showed that in COVID-19 patients the impairment of trigeminal sensitivity in association with olfactory sensitivity was more prevalent in moderate than in mild forms.