Insulin and early debridement keys to survival in-COVID 19 associated mucormycosis patients(CAM)- An experience from tertiary care hospital In India.

INTRODUCTION: Amid the second wave of COVID 19 India witnessed a surge of mucormycosis cases. This worsened the already existing health emergency. India a diabetic capital had all the favourable factors to support the growth of black fungus. This study was conducted with objectives of ascertaining patient characteristics, clinical type of mucormycosis, predisposing factors, predictors of survival and long term outcome of survivors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ambispective study of COVID 19 associated mucormycosis patients admitted in mucor ward of tertiary care hospital between May 2021- August 2021 was done. Study was approved by Institute Ethical Committee. Demographic characteristics, presence of risk factors, clinical sign and symptoms, mode of diagnosis, treatment given, final outcome and long term follow up for a period of 1 year from discharge was done.

RESULTS: 367 CAM patients were included in the study. 72.5%( n  = 266) were men and 27.5% ( n  = 101) were females. Mean age group was 51.3 years (SD 12.4 years). Most important comorbidity was diabetes( n  = 320,87.2%), followed by cardiovascular disease ( n  = 68, 18.5%) and hypertension ( n  = 58,15.8%). Other predisposing factors were use of oxygen ( n  = 367,100%), antibiotics( n  = 213,58%) and steroids ( n  = 272, 74.1%). Dexamethasone was the most commonly used steroid ( n  = 218,59.4%). Rhino orbital cerebral mucormycosis was the most common type. 83.7% patients ( n  = 307) survived and 16.3% ( n  = 60) succumbed to illness. Kaplan Meir survival analysis curve showed use of insulin ( p  = 0.025), early debridement ( p  < 0.05) significantly increased survival rate. Similarly patients with lesions involving, face ( p  < 0.05) and nose ( p  = 0.014) had much better outcome as compared to disseminated forms. Only 96 patients remained in follow up. Of these patients no significant alteration in metabolic profile was noted and they remained euglycemic on oral hypoglycaemics.

CONCLUSION: Early debridement and insulin use are keys to improved survival. Oxygen, Steroids and antibiotics are the risk factors for mucormycosis. Diabetes is the most important comorbidity.