Observational study on the clinical profile and treatment outcome on long-term follow-up of COVID-19 associated mucormycosis.

ABSTRACT

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 associated mucormycosis were followed up for 6 months to study the clinical profile, readmissions, long-term treatment outcome and the mortality rate. RESULTS: Among 37 patients with COVID-19 associated mucormycosis, the mortality rate was 33.3 %, 42.9% and 100 % among patients with mild, moderate and severe COVID-19 infection. One month after discharge, among the 20 patients who survived, 10 (50 %) patients had worsening symptoms and required readmission. Nine patients required readmission for amphotericin and 1 patient was admitted for surgical intervention. On follow-up at 1 month, 30 % (6/20) patients became asymptomatic. However, at 3 months, 45 % (9/20) of the patients were asymptomatic. At 6 months of follow-up, 80 % (16/20) were asymptomatic. At 6 months, one each had residual abnormalities like visual loss in one eye, visual field deficit, change in voice and residual weakness of the limbs along with cranial nerve paresis. CONCLUSION: The follow-up study revealed that a significant number of patients required readmission within the first month, but most of the patients became asymptomatic by 6 months. The readmission rate was higher in patients who received a shorter duration of amphotericin.