Key points

• Nearly 3% of the general adult population surveyed in the fall of 2022 reported a change in their sense of smell or taste.

• Among those affected:

  • 63% stated that this impairment had been present for more than two months;

  • 41% reported that this impairment had a moderate, significant, or very significant impact on their daily activities;

  • 13% have long COVID according to the WHO definition.

• The prevalence of these symptoms varies significantly by age and gender, as well as by certain socioeconomic factors:

  • it is higher among women (3.2%) than among men (2.4%);

  • it increases with age, reaching 4.8% among those aged 75 and older;

  • people with the lowest levels of education and income report these symptoms most frequently.