Oral condition of patients hospitalized for Covid-19 and its impact on quality of life.

The aim of this study was to assess the oral condition of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 and its impact on their quality of life. The cross-sectional study participants were patients with or without a diagnosis of COVID-19, on room air, and conscious, admitted to the ICUs and wards of Public Hospital Units in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. The data collected included: demographic information, length of stay, comorbidities, and type of diet, obtained from medical records; Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) [Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14)]questions patients were asked; oral health (measured by the Bedside Oral Exam Scale); oral hygiene status (assessed by the Oral Hygiene Index - Simplified and lingual: degree of lingual coating); and salivary flow. The prevalence of COVID-19 was associated with gender (p = 0.038), with a higher incidence observed in male patients (61.9%). Moreover, there was a correlation between the hospitalization sector (p = 0.037) and the frequency of ICU admissions (53.7%). The prevalence of comorbidities was comparable between the two groups. Relative to oral health, 53% of individuals with confirmed COVID-19 had moderate oral health, while 9% exhibited poor oral health. The prevalence of hyposalivation was higher in the group with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. The quality of life of individuals with confirmed COVID-19 was most significantly impacted by moderate to severe oral health concerns. The most significant alteration in oral health was a reduction in salivary flow, negatively impacting the quality of life of individuals hospitalized for COVID-19 complications.