Mass urine sugar testing to tackle post-COVID mucormycosis epidemic in India-MUSTARD concept.

BACKGROUND

Post-Covid mucormycosis is associated with very high morbidity and reasonably high mortality. The three main causes seem to be covid infection, excessive steroid usage and uncontrolled diabetes.

METHODS

Of the three risk factors causing post-Covid mucormycosis, the only risk factor which can be modified quickly is uncontrolled diabetes. Checking urine-sugar levels of susceptible population asymptomatic for mucormycosis can be done rapidly and at a relatively low cost. Urine sugar positive persons can then be investigated and managed for uncontrolled diabetes.

RESULTS

None

CONCLUSIONS

Mass urine sugar testing to assess and regulate diabetes(MUSTARD) can help identify and manage uncontrolled diabetes in populations with high prevalence of diabetes.