Prevalence of oral lesions among coronavirus disease 2019 cohorts

Abstract

Background: In early December 2019, an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), considered as Pandemic has gained Public importance caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), first reported in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. World Health Organization declared the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020. Few cases have reported the presence of oral lesions among Covid Cohorts for which we considered it has a less explored area. Aim and Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalance of oral lesions among Covid19 Inpatients in District Hospital, Shivamogga. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey will be conducted to assess the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions among Covid19 Inpatients in District Hospital, Shivamogga, India. The Performa included information on socio-demographic details, habits (tobacco and alcohol), oral hygiene practices and presence and location of oral mucosal lesions according to World Health Organisation, 2013. Considering the prevalence of Oral lesions among Pilot Survey Sampling size will be determined. Informed consent would be obtained from patients and ethical approval from Institutional ethical board. Descriptive statistical analysis would be carried out and Chi-square test will be used for comparisons. Confidence level will be set at 95% and p value 5%, respectively. Results: A total of 248 In-patients with Covid -19 were included in the study. Almost half of the patients 127(51.2%) complained Aphthous-like oral ulcer, followed by Xerostomia 52(20.96%), herpes-like lesions 47(19%), candidiasis 44(18%), glossitis/depapillation 10(4%), geographic tongue 6 (2.41%), angular cheilitis 3 (1.2%), parotitis 2 (0.8%) Ulceration with ischemic necrosis of palate 11 (4.43%). Oral lesions were scattered throughout mouth in which majority was found in the tongue (35.4%) followed by sulcus (15%), Lips(11.6%), and commissures(10.8%). Conclusion: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2 is the major public health burden in the world, along with systemic manifestations it is definitely found to have a significant effect on the oral health varying from small Aphthous like ulcers to necrosis of palate. Several attempts are done to integrate medical and dental services in different healthcare and public health settings to support populations with unmet oral health during this pandemic situation.