Clinical Features, Treatment Interventions, and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Covid-19-Associated Mucormycosis: A Descriptive-Analytical Study Publisher



Baghban S ; Basirat M ; Motevasseli S ; Nazarpour A ; Homaie Rad EH
Source: Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Published:2025

Abstract

Objective: One of the significant complications of COVID-19 is coinfection with opportunis-tic fungal pathogens such as mucormycosis, which can pose a serious threat to patient survival. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features, treatment outcomes, and post-infection oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in hospitalized patients with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) at an educational health center in Rasht, Iran, between 2020 and 2023. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included patients diagnosed with mucormycosis based on clinical presentation, histopathological confirmation, and fungal culture results. Demographic and clinical data, along with treatment interventions, were extracted from medical records. Patients were later interviewed by telephone, and OHRQoL was evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, with the significance level of 0.05. Results: A total of 28 patients with CAM were included in the study. The most frequent clinical signs and symptoms were facial swelling, mucosal necrosis, tooth mobility, and postnasal discharge. The paranasal sinuses and maxillary bone were the most commonly involved sites. Functional endonasal sinus surgery (FESS) and maxillectomy were the most frequently performed surgical procedures. The mean OHIP-14 score was 26.39 ± 8.55. A significant association was found between maxillary involvement and OHIP-14 scores. Conclusions: Despite the severity of their condition, CAM patients reported relatively ac-ceptable OHRQoL. Oral manifestations may be among the initial signs of mucormycosis; therefore, dentists may play a key role in the early detection of mucormycosis. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.