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

BACKGROUND: 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.

AIM: 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.

MATERIALS & METHODS: 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.

RESULTS: 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.

CONCLUSION: 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.