Anosmia Association With Covid-19 Risk Level Among Staff: Validating The Covid-19 Health Risk Assessment System In A Malaysian University

Abstract

Introduction: Anosmia has been increasingly recognized as one of the most important clinical symptom to be screened for the COVID-19

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of anosmia and its association with COVID-19 risk level among staff in a higher education institution in Malaysia.

Methods: The data was obtained from COVID-19 risk assessment system implemented in the institution within four-month surveillance period from May to September 2020. The risk level was categorised into three levels namely low, moderate, and high depending on the staff reported symptoms and presence of epidemiological link. Pearson Chi Square analysis and Binary Logistic Regression were applied to assess possible association between anosmia and COVID-19 risk level.

Results: A total of 1787 staff were involved in the analysis; 1455 (81.4%) were categorized as low risk, 316 (17.7%) were medium risk and 16 (0.9%) were at high risk of contracting COVID-19. Out of 1787, 65 (3.6%) staff presented with anosmia. There was a statistically significant association between anosmia and COVID-19 risk level. Those with anosmia were 8.31 times more likely to be categorised under higher risk group (medium and high risk) compared to those without anosmia (Odds Ratio (OR): 8.31, β =2.117, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 4.94-13.99, p < 0.001).   

Conclusions: The COVID-19 risk assessment system is proven to be valid as it demonstrated anosmia association with higher COVID-19 risk level which is consistent the current epidemiological evidence on anosmia.