Page 10 - Revista Portuguesa - SPORL - Vol 61. Nº4
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The needle was aimed at the nasal septum on Table 1. The mean age at injection was
at the level of the superior two-thirds of 44.64 ± 9.52 years. Mean OPT before injection
the middle turbinate (see Figure 3). All was 4.36 ± 1.6. There was a statistically
the procedures were done by the same significant difference between baseline OPT
investigator holding the endoscope and the and the 1-month OPT in the paired-samples
needle, while an assistant pulled the embolus t-test (mean incremental change: 2.67 ± 2.35,
after puncture and aspiration to deliver 0.9 ml p =0.012). Likewise, there was a statistically
of PRP on each side of the nasal septum. The significant difference between baseline OPT
patient was asked to rate the overall procedure and the 3-months OPT in the paired-samples
discomfort on a scale of 0 to 10 immediately t-test (mean incremental change: 3.98 ± 1.92,
after the second injection. Following the p = 0.009). The mean VAS baseline score was
procedure, patients were observed for 15 4.1 ± 1.8. There was a statistically significant
minutes to monitor for any potential adverse difference between baseline and the 1-month
effects before being discharged. VAS scores in the paired-samples t-test
(mean incremental change: 2 ± 2.18, p =0.025).
Ethics Likewise, there was a statistically significant
Informed consent was obtained for all difference between the baseline and the
patients. The local Ethics Committee approved 3-months VAS scores in the paired-samples
the study (Number: 2021.93(075-DEFI/078- t-test (mean incremental change: 3.5 ± 2.54,
CE)) and the design complies with p = 0.005). A positive association was found
the Declaration of Helsinki´s ethical standards. between baseline OPT and baseline VAS score
(p = 0.021). However, no association was found
Statistical analysis between 1-month OPT and 1-month VAS score
Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (p = 0.8). The 3-months OPT and VAS score
(IBM SPSS Statistics 29). In the descriptive showed a tendency for correlation, although
analysis, categorical variables are presented not reaching statistical significance (p =
as percentages, and continuous variables as 0.057). All patients reported only mild or no
means and standard deviations, since normal discomfort related to the injection (VAS score
distribution was confirmed by using skewness for procedural pain ≤ 2).
and kurtosis. No association was found between baseline to
A bivariate analysis regarding baseline sample 1-month OPT variance and sex (p = 0.181), age
characteristics versus olfactory outcomes (p =0.342), time from COVID-19 diagnosis to
measured by OPT and VAS scores was PRP injection (p = 0.763), or any comorbidity
undertaken. The associations were analyzed (p >0.05). Likewise, no significant correlation
using either independent t-test (parametric existed between baseline to 3-months OPT
analysis), Pearson Chi-square/ Fisher´s tests variance and sex (p=0.357), age (p=0.864), time
(95% confidence intervals) for categories and from COVID-19 diagnosis to PRP injection
Spearman´s test for continuous variables. (p = 0.694) or any comorbidity (p>0.05). No
Finally, a repeated measures ANOVA was association was found between baseline to
performed in order to bring a general linear 1-month VAS score variance and sex (p = 0.378),
model based on OPT and VAS values across age (p =0.876), time from COVID-19 diagnosis
the three follow-up timepoints. All reported to PRP injection (p = 0.982), or any comorbidity
p values are two-tailed, with a p value ≤ 0.05 (p >0.05). Likewise, no significant correlation
indicating statistical significance. existed between baseline to 3-month VAS
variance and sex (p=0.472), age (p=0.753), time
Results from COVID-19 diagnosis to PRP injection (p =
A total of 20 patients were enrolled. A general 0.881) or any comorbidity (p>0.05). A general
description of the main variables is displayed linear model was furtherly created to predict
348 Revista Portuguesa de Otorrinolaringologia - Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço
