Oral manifestations in patients with COVID-19 treated in an isolation center in Las Tunas

Abstract

Background: oral manifestations associated with COVID-19 patients may appear prior to respiratory symptoms, during and after the course of the disease.Objective: to describe the oral manifestations in patients with COVID-19 treated at the “Los Cocos” isolation center of Las Tunas, from May 1 to May 10, 2021.Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out with 27 patients with COVID-19, of both sexes, older than 13 years, who were asymptomatic or with respiratory symptoms (cough or rhinorrhea), and, if presenting comorbidity(s), were controlled, and who were admitted to the aforementioned center and during the period herein declared. The following variables were assessed: age, sex, past medical history, oral manifestations and diseases and oral hygiene.Results: there was a higher incidence of the female sex (18 cases, 66,7 %) and the 40 to 49 age group (11, for 40,7 %). Almost half of the patients had a history of apparent health (13, 48,1 %). The most frequent comorbidity was arterial hypertension (6, 22,2 %). All of them were treated with Heberferon. 18 (66,7 %) presented oral manifestations, 11 were women (61,1 %) and 7 were men (38,8 %). The most frequent manifestations were: burning and painful sensation in the oropharynx in 11 patients (40,7 %) and xerostomia in 8 (29,6 %). Furthermore, it was found that masticatory dysfunction due to loss of teeth was the most frequent oral disease (16 patients, 59,2 %), followed by dental caries (10, 37,3 %). Inadequate oral hygiene predominated (18, 66,7 %).Conclusions: burning and painful sensation in the oropharynx and xerostomia were the main oral manifestations identified.

Keywords

• mouth diseases
• oral manifestations
• coronavirus infections
• coronavirus