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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Ann Natl Acad Med Sci 2023; 59(01): 036-048
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1760288
Original Article

Health Literacy and Clinic-Epidemiological Profile of Patients with COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis: A Questionnaire-Based Study

Michell Gulabani
1   Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
,
Richa Chauhan
1   Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
,
Diksha Gaur
1   Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
,
Swati Das
1   Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
,
Megha Bajaj
1   Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
,
Ashok Kumar Saxena
1   Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
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Abstract

Background The patient partnership is desirable for the optimal management of comorbidities. This became significant more so during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis wherein health infrastructure was overburdened.

Objectives The aim of this study was to estimate the clinicoepidemiological profile, health literacy regarding predisposing risk factors, and disease management in patients with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAMCR).

Materials and Methods A structured questionnaire-based study on randomly chosen 100 microbiologically proven patients of CAMCR, consisting of 38 multiple choice questions, was designed with each answer having a patient and assessor response to it.

Results A male predilection was seen (68%) with rhino-orbital (73%) being the commonest anatomic site. Forty-nine percent of the study participants had pre-existing diabetes of which 62% did not carry out regular blood sugar monitoring and in 18%, blood sugars were controlled prior to COVID-19. Thirty-five percent of patients with mild COVID-19 illness were treated with unwarranted steroids and 56% of patients had fluctuating blood sugar levels, during COVID-19 illness.

Seventy-nine percent of patients were not vaccinated against COVID-19, 16% only partially vaccinated. Seventy-one percent of patients were not aware of red flag signs and of mucormycosis with 8% presenting early, on noticing nasal symptoms.

Conclusion This study observed diabetes as the most common comorbidity in patients with CAMCR. A lacuna in the health literacy of diabetics presenting with CAMCR was found. Additionally, knowledge regarding glycemic control during COVID-19 illness with or without the use of steroids and awareness of the “red flag” signs of CAMCR were mostly lacking. Interventions to improve awareness amongst patients with diabetes should help in optimal glycemic control, and avoid potential complications like severe COVID-19 illness, and mucormycosis.

Keywords

awareness - diabetes - epidemiology - patient education


Publication History

Article published online:
22 February 2023

© 2023. National Academy of Medical Sciences (India). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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