Outcomes of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis epidemic in India: A prospective 2-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to study the various outcomes among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated mucormycosis (CAM) in terms of morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

A prospective study was done on 107 patients (60 male, 47 female) in the Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Government Medical College, Patiala, India, diagnosed with CAM from April 2021 to August 2021. The patients were managed both medically and surgically. The follow-up was done up to 2 years to assess the various outcomes.

RESULTS

Out of 107 patients, short-term (3 months) survival was 68.22%, and long-term (2 years) survival was 52.34%. Overall mortality was 47.66%, with short-term mortality of 31.77% and long-term mortality of 15.89%. Eye loss was seen in 17 patients, residual ophthalmoplegia in 12, palatal loss in 15, depression in 56, cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea in two, and recurrence in two patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, despite early management and successful initial outcome, the patients are still haunted by the after-effects of CAM like residual morbidity in terms of eye and palate loss, ophthalmoplegia, and depression. Delayed mortality has also been noticed over 2 years of follow-up.