SynthesisPloS one2023
Corticosteroids for COVID-19-induced olfactory dysfunction: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Synthesis in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 6 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effect of glucocorticoids on smell sensation in patients with non-traumatic olfactory disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.European journal of clinical pharmacology · 2026Pooled it
- The effectiveness of olfactory training for chronic olfactory disorder following COVID-19: a systematic review.Frontiers in human neuroscience · 2024Pooled it
- Classical and Speech Therapy Olfactory Training in the Treatment of COVID-19-Related Olfactory Disorders.Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research · 2026Article
- Review
- A Prefrontal Neuromodulation Route for Post-Traumatic Olfactory Dysfunction: A Perspective Supported by Recovery During Left-DLPFC rTMS.Brain sciences · 2026Article
- Olfactory Training for Post-COVID-19 Olfactory Dysfunction: A Meta-Analysis of Efficacy and Combination Therapies.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Review
- Postacute Sequelae of COVID (PASC or Long COVID): An Evidenced-Based Approach.Open forum infectious diseases · 2024Review
- Long COVID-19-related and non-COVID-19 postviral olfactory dysfunction a comparative MRI study focusing on the olfactory cleft and bulbs.Frontiers in neurology · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundOlfactory dysfunction is a common manifestation in COVID-19 patients and can significantly impact their quality of life. Corticosteroids have been proposed as a potential treatment, but their efficacy remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to comprehensively analyze the efficacy of corticosteroid therapy for treating COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction.
methodsA literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases up to March 1, 2023. Randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of corticosteroids on olfactory dysfunction in patients with COVID-19 were included. The primary outcome was the olfactory score at the end of follow-up, and the secondary outcomes were the duration and the rate of recovery from olfactory dysfunction.
resultsSeven randomized controlled trials with 999 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with the control group, corticosteroid treatment resulted in a statistically significant improvement in olfactory score with a standardized mean difference of 0.55 (95% CI: 0.15 to 0.95). Topical corticosteroids were found to be effective, but systemic corticosteroids were not. In addition, longer durations and higher dosages of corticosteroids treatment may also be associated with significant improvements in olfactory scores. No significant effect was observed on the duration or recovery rate of olfactory dysfunction.
conclusionsOur findings suggest that topical corticosteroid treatment is a viable option for improving COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction, but further research is needed to investigate optimal treatment protocols and safety profiles.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.