A Confectionary-Based Screening Tool for Assessing Chemosensory Loss in COVID-19 Patients

Background: The goals of this Emergency Competitive Revision were to develop and deploy a novel, objective, psychophysical smell and taste screening test to detect the onset of COVID-19 in at-risk populations. This tool was designed to complement temperature screening procedures already in use, with the expectation that it would enable earlier identification of COVID-19 onset, support better prognoses, and allow for the timely implementation of protocols to reduce community spread. The approach was grounded in the idea that loss of smell and taste were key early indicators of COVID-19, making chemosensory assessment a valuable public health tool.

Materials/Methods: A hard-candy containing different combinations of tastants and flavors that were easy to distribute to a large university population was used. The study used daily self-monitoring of chemosensory function in at-risk populations with data tracked through a secure online portal. The test provided standard stimuli that yielded objective measures of both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of smell (aroma and flavor) and taste (sweet and sour). Orthonasal and retronasal olfactory function were independently assessed. The test was self-administered, and the familiar, pleasant nature of the stimuli facilitated a high compliance rate, allowing for continuous monitoring over prolonged periods. The test was rapid and inexpensive. Data were incorporated into a predictive model for COVID-19 and assessed using AOC analyses of sensitivity and specificity.

Outcome/Impact: The intended outcome of the study was to create a rapid, cost-effective, and scalable screening tool that could detect chemosensory loss with accuracy comparable to established methods while being more practical and widely acceptable. The expectation was that daily monitoring with this test would enable early detection of COVID-19, improve patient prognoses, and help prevent community spread by identifying cases sooner.