Comparative evaluation of oral lesions: Tale - the Covid 19 Tells

ABSTRACT

Introduction & ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has been raging across the globe since early January 2020. India has reported over 27 million cases and more than 3, 00,000 deaths. This study was planned to analyze the differences in demographic, clinical features and oral manifestations of COVID 19 patients hospitalized during COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsThis observational pilot study had total 36 participants, 12 each of mild, moderate and severe RT-PCR positive COVID cases hospitalized during COVID 19 pandemic. All demographic, clinical features, treatment details and oral manifestations were noted from first day of admission to hospital till treatment completion with follow up of minimum 7 days. ResultsMean age of the patients was 39.44 {+/-}9.13 years with M F ratio of 54. Most common clinical presentation was fever, shortness of breath and treatment involved was symptomatic with supplemental oxygen & mechanical ventilation. Most common oral site involved was tongue & oral lesions observed were herpes labialis, mucositis, burning sensation, dryness of oral cavity, angular chelitis, aphthous ulcers, geographic tongue, fissuring of tongue, candidiasis, coated tongue, sublingual varicosity, & scalloped tongue. Interpretation and ConclusionAll demographic, clinical and oral manifestations were significantly different in mild, moderate and severe cases of covid hospitalized patients. Though clinical symptoms were improved, oral lesions were worsened. Oral Lesions seen in covid patients were associated with multiple drug therapy for illness along with poor oral hygiene, but further etiology for lesions needs to be evaluated. Sublingual varicosity was observed in our hospitalised covid patients, but large sample observation is required for confirmation of findings and may be an early oral feature for covid detection. Prevention is always better than cure, so all patients positive for Covid should have a full mouth examination. Oral health should be priority during overall management of COVID patients and dentists should be a part of Covid management team.