Oral manifestations of COVID-19 in a group of Sri Lankans infected with SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Objectives: COVID-19 due to SARS-CoV-2 is primarily a respiratory disease despite occasional systemic involvements. This study investigated orofacial manifestations of COVID-19 in a group of Sri Lankans. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was undertaken using 1112 COVID-19 patients managed at an intermediate care center in Penideniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka during January–May 2021. Demographic data, systemic, and orofacial manifestations of COVID-19 were recorded using a structured questionnaire administered over the telephone on participants’ verbal informed consent. Results: Study population (mean age = 34.1 ± 19 years) included 90 (8%) males and 1022 (92%) females, belonging to Sinhala (936; 84.2%), Tamil (105; 9.4%), and Muslim (71; 6.4%) communities. There were 712 (64%) married, 395 (35.5%) unmarried, and 05 (0.4%) divorced individuals. There were 16 (1.4%) participants who practiced betel chewing. All participants had been subjected to RAT or PCR for symptoms (249, 22.4%), contact tracing (680, 61.2%) or random checking (183, 16.5%). There were 644 (58%) patients with systemic manifestations, while 160 (14.4%) had orofacial manifestations such as dysgeusia (122, 11%), anosmia (86, 7.7%), and xerostomia (64, 5.8%). Orofacial manifestations were significantly associated with Sinhalese, married females (Chi-square = 15.9, 19.7, 4.7; P < 0.05), presence of systemic manifestations (Chi-square = 48.7; P < 0.05), and the absence of betel chewing habit (Chi-square = 16.7; P < 0.05). Conclusion: Approximately 14% of COVID-19 patients in this sample experienced orofacial manifestations predominantly dysgeusia (11%), anosmia (7.7%), and xerostomia (5.8%). Orofacial manifestations were significantly associated with Sinhalese, married females who had systemic manifestations of COVID-19 and those who were without betel chewing habit.