FREQUENCY AND OUTCOMES OF RHINO-ORBITAL MUCORMYCOSIS DURING COVID-19 INFECTION: EXPERIENCE FROM A TERTIARY CARE CENTER OF KPK

Aim: To study frequency and outcomes of rhino-orbital mucormycosis during COVID-19 infection in a tertiary care setup of KPK. Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study Settings and Duration: At Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar from 1st September 2020 to 30th April 2021 (8 months). Materials and Methods: After taking informed consent and relevant approvals, all patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria underwent history taking to identify risk factors, clinical examination to find extent of infection and laboratory and radiological investigations to diagnose and find management plan. Data readings were save on Excel sheets and analyzed using SPSS v.25.0.   Results: Among 59 patients, 37 (62.71%) were male and 22 (37.29%) female. Most of the patients (42.37%) fell between age category of 61-75 years. Overall 42 (71.18%) patients survived. Orbital involvement was present in 40 (67.80%) patients and 20 (33.89%) had to underwent exenteration. Among comorbidities, diabetes was most prevalent in 38 (64.40%) followed by hypertension in 11 (18.64%) while 7 (11.86%) patients had no co-morbid state. Conclusion: Rhino-orbital mucormycosis is very common superadded infection in patients suffering from COVID-19 and involves males more than the females. Most of the mucormycosis patients are either diabetics or on corticosteroids therapy for COVID-19. Orbital involvement in mucormycosis eventually happens in majority of patients and up to one third patients may need exenteration. However, strict diabetes control, judicious use of steroids and early diagnosis and treatment of mucormycosis may increase overall survival rate.