Prevalence of Oral Manifestations in COVID-19-Diagnosed Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kerala.

Abstract

COVID-19, a pandemic since 2019, is still causing significant healthcare burden across the world. Although the disease primarily presents with respiratory symptoms, a multitude of signs and symptoms may be manifested elsewhere in the body. This study was to estimate the prevalence of oral manifestations in COVID-19 diagnosed patients and thereby understand the effects of corona virus disease on oral health. A total of 472 patients were evaluated using a questionnaire and further examined visually using a mouth mirror and a light source.The patients were evaluated for erythema, ulcers, macule, papule, vescicles, bullae or any other abnormal changes within the oral cavity. 103 patients (21%) were found to have oral lesions and 41 (39.8%) of them presented with palatal enanthem which was macular in nature. Candidiasis was noted in 19 (18.4%) patients, ulcer in 4 (3.8%), mucositis in 5 (4.8%), angular cheilitis in 3 (2.9%), white coating on tongue in 25 (24.2%) & depapillated tongue with glossitis in 6 (5.8%). Multivariate analysis was done using logistic regression.Tobacco chewing, malignancies and altered taste sensation were found to be independently associated with oral lesions. The study thus confirms the presence of oral lesions in diagnosed COVID-19 patients prompting healthcare professionals on a multidisciplinary approach towards this novel disease.