Prognosis and persistence of smell and taste dysfunction in patients with covid-19: meta-analysis with parametric cure modelling of recovery curves

Dear Editor

I notice the Reseach did not include people older than 55 years. I am curious why the authors give no explanation for cohort age range, particularly the upper limit.

Also I am curious about the reason they mention likely underestimates in the study without explanation.

Also did they consider the fact the some, like myself, with sudden onset, persistent smell and taste loss and/or changes may not have reported out of not wishing to overburden already stretched health services. This being because of the very notion they allude to that taste and smell were not generally considered as significant for good health, safety and well-being as sight and hearing were. Did they consider that people might imagine no help or cure is possible and not therefore report it? Did they consider that there could be many people who, like myself, having been grateful for surviving covid in the first place simply resigned themselves to the hopelessness of their depressing poorer quality of life resulting from persistent taste and smell changes and loss? If not, did this factor arise in subsequent Patient and Public Involvement?