Prevalence of oral manifestations in coronavirus disease 2019-infected and vaccinated geriatric patients: A clinical survey

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to scrutinize the prevalence of oral manifestations encountered among the geriatric patients that got coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection during the pandemic and also among the patients that were partially or fully vaccinated. Settings and Design: This study was a clinical survey. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was prepared which consisted of patient's generic details, personal history, previous medical and drug history, and relevant details about COVID-19 infection and vaccination that are needed to record. The questions were designed in such a manner so that a common person can easily understand and answer. The study was conducted on geriatric patients after screening from the outpatient department (OPD) and patients that visited the Department of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge. The patient's approval was obtained, and consent was obtained for participation in the survey. The necessary instructions were explained to the patients in their native language. A total of 2519 patients aged 65 or above participated in this study over a duration of 121 working days. Emergency OPD cases, nongeriatric patients, uncooperative patients, and patients with poor compliance were excluded from the clinical survey. Statistical Analysis Used: Percentage evaluation and graphical representation of data. Results: The results stated that approximately 72% of participated patients suffered from COVID-19 infection, of which the majority of population had dry mouth (xerostomia) and a significant number had aphthous ulcer along with general body symptoms and weakness, whereas the other oral symptoms that happened were insignificant in number. Further, it was also observed that the patients vaccinated partially or fully, had fever, malaise, headache, as a general symptoms and in oral manifestations, only dry mouth (xerostomia) were statistically significant. Conclusion: It was concluded that almost every geriatric patient that recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic presented with one or the other oral signs and symptoms. Moreover, either partially or fully vaccinated patients had also shown a significant number of oral manifestations irrespective of whether they were COVID-19 infected or not.