Objective: To determine the incidence, duration, and factors associated with ENT symptoms according to COVID-19 among healthcare workers at Venerable Thawisak Jutindharo Hospital.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the healthcare workers whose PCR and ATK nasopharyngeal swabs were positive for COVID-19. All patients were employed at Venerable Thawisak Jutindharo Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, between January 1 and October 31, 2022. Demographic data and clinical manifestations were collected. Descriptive statistics were performed, followed by Chi-square and multiple logistic regressions to determine associated factors for ENT symptoms according to COVID-19.

Results: Two hundred and ten cases were included. Most of them were females with 167 cases (79.5%). Cough was the most common presenting symptom at 81.8%. After acute phase, 147 cases (70%) of post-COVID-19 ENT symptoms were reported. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on symptomatology and showed laryngological symptoms in 63.8%, followed by rhinological symptoms in 25.7%, and otological symptoms in 6.6%. Most symptoms were recovered within four weeks after the infection. Some lasted more than twelve weeks, such as cough in seven cases, sore throat in two cases, and rhinorrhea in one case. The patients recovered from all symptoms by week 13. The risk associated with increasing post-COVID-19 ENT symptoms was age. Age less than fifty years had a significantly higher risk of post-COVID-19 ENT symptoms than age greater than fifty years (adjusted OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.08 to 5.00).

Conclusion: Cough was the most common ENT symptom in early and post-COVID infection period. Most cases recovered within four weeks after infection. Age was the key factor that causes ENT symptoms in COVID-19. Antiviral drug, severity of COVID infection, and other factors do not result in post-COVID ENT symptom.

Keywords: Post-COVID infection; Post-COVID ENT symptom; Healthcare worker

DOI: 10.35755/jmedassocthai.2023.12.13926

Received 12 September 2023 | Revised 6 November 2023 | Accepted 8 November 2023