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. 2022 Jul 30;11(15):4461.
doi: 10.3390/jcm11154461.

Oral Manifestations of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study of Their Prevalence and Association with Disease Severity

Nada O Binmadi  1 , Suad Aljohani  1 , Maha T Alsharif  1 , Soulafa A Almazrooa  1 , Amal M Sindi  1
Affiliations

Oral Manifestations of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study of Their Prevalence and Association with Disease Severity

Nada O Binmadi et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Background: COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has impacted the world in an unprecedented way since December 2019. SARS-CoV-2 was found in the saliva of patients, and entry points for the virus may have been through the numerous angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors in the oral cavity. Oral manifestations of COVID-19 could contribute to the burden of oral disease.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of oral manifestations of COVID-19 in patients and their association with disease severity.

Methods: Interviews were conducted with adult participants diagnosed with COVID-19 between October 2021 and March 2022 to document their demographic and health status data, symptoms, and the presence of oral manifestations of COVID-19. Chi-square and the Fisher's exact test were used to compare data on the presence or absence of oral manifestations of COVID-19.

Results: Of 195 participants interviewed, 33% were 18 to 24 years old, 33% were 25 to 34 years old, and 75% were female. A total of 57 (29%) had oral manifestations; the most common were taste disorders (60%), xerostomia (42%), and oral ulcers (11%). There was no relationship between the severity of COVID-19 and the presence of the oral manifestations.

Conclusion: Oral manifestations of COVID-19 were common among female patients and linked to certain general COVID-19 symptoms regarding frequency and extent.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; cross-sectional study; oral cavity; oral manifestations; taste disorders; xerostomia.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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