Oral manifestations in COVID-19 patients: An observational study

• Published in: Journal of family medicine and primary care Vol. 11; no. 3; pp. 1000 - 1005
• Main Authors: Muthyam, Alka, Reddy, M, Kulkarni, Suhas, Srilatha, Adepu, Sahithi, Kommuri, Satyanarayana, Dantala
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.03.2022; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Communicable diseases; covid-19; Health aspects; Infection; loss of taste; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; oral manifestations; Original; sars-cov-2; xerostomia; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; xerostomia; loss of taste; oral manifestations
• ISSN: 2249-4863; 2278-7135
• DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1264_21

Background: Viral diseases continue to emerge as a threat to mankind and are a serious concern to public health. The latest lethal SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease, which propagated quickly across the globe. Similar to other influenza-like viral infections, symptoms such as fever, dry cough, myalgia, arthralgia, headache, diarrhea, dyspnea, and fatigue were reported among COVID-19 patients. Evidence suggests that the oral cavity is affected by this virus either directly or indirectly. Aim: The aim of this observational study was to determine the oral manifestations among COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was carried out among COVID-19 recovered patients. A sample of 100 subjects, diagnosed as mild and moderate cases of COVID-19 disease were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The study comprised an almost equal number of male (51%) and female (49%) participants and among them, 48% belong to the health professional group. A total of 54% of subjects were aged above 35 years and 46% below 35 years. Oral manifestations among study subjects during and after the disease illness included xerostomia being the commonest symptom (44%), followed by swallowing difficulty (16%), mouth ulcerations (10%), chewing problem (7%), gum bleeding (6%), and burning sensation (4%). Conclusion: Xerostomia, frequent aphthous ulcers, swallowing difficulty, and burning mouth were the most frequently encountered symptoms in study subjects during the disease and post recovery. Early identification of oral symptoms in COVID-19 recovered or suspected cases can help a dentist or a general physician to diagnose high-risk groups, mitigate transmission, and promote overall health.