Background: The key contribution of this paper is from investigating the mortality and morbidity rates and related factors associated with COVID-19-associated-mucormycosis among Iranian patients. The existing literatu...Background: The key contribution of this paper is from investigating the mortality and morbidity rates and related factors associated with COVID-19-associated-mucormycosis among Iranian patients. The existing literature is scarce on this topic, particularly in the context of Iran. The present study investigates mortality and morbidity among 62 confirmed COVID-19-associated-mucormycosis Iranian patients in relation to their demographic characteristics, laboratory test results, predisposing factors, and COVID-related factors. Material and Methods: In this prospective cohort study, the patients were identified in the fifth wave of the disease, between 1<sup>st</sup> August and 15<sup>th</sup> October 2021, with data collected at baseline with a three-week follow-up. This was a multicenter investigation with patients admitted to two clinics in Iran. 62 participants were admitted, with the key criteria of them being COVID-19-associated-mucormycosis patients. 53 out of 60 patients underwent corticosteroid therapy and debridement surgery. Intravenous remdesivir (200 mg/ kg/day at day 1, 100 mg/kg/day in following days for up to 5 days) and corticosteroids were administered for 53 out 54 patients. Oxygen therapy was only needed for 30% (n = 19) of the patients. Results: A 40% mortality rate was observed within the three-week follow-up, with deaths concentrated among those with controlled diabetes mellitus (61%) and long-term diabetes mellitus patients (an average of eight versus four years). Higher mortality was also observed in patients with higher leucocytes and those with rhino-orbital-cerebral (59%), followed by nasal (55.6%) mucormycosis. Among survivors, 32% were reinfected, and 56% suffered from loss of vision. Conclusion: The study concludes that mucormycosis is associated with a higher mortality rate among COVID-19 patients with diabetes mellitus, particularly corticosteroid recipients. Thus, urgent attention to this coinfection is warranted in Iran.展开更多
文摘Background: The key contribution of this paper is from investigating the mortality and morbidity rates and related factors associated with COVID-19-associated-mucormycosis among Iranian patients. The existing literature is scarce on this topic, particularly in the context of Iran. The present study investigates mortality and morbidity among 62 confirmed COVID-19-associated-mucormycosis Iranian patients in relation to their demographic characteristics, laboratory test results, predisposing factors, and COVID-related factors. Material and Methods: In this prospective cohort study, the patients were identified in the fifth wave of the disease, between 1<sup>st</sup> August and 15<sup>th</sup> October 2021, with data collected at baseline with a three-week follow-up. This was a multicenter investigation with patients admitted to two clinics in Iran. 62 participants were admitted, with the key criteria of them being COVID-19-associated-mucormycosis patients. 53 out of 60 patients underwent corticosteroid therapy and debridement surgery. Intravenous remdesivir (200 mg/ kg/day at day 1, 100 mg/kg/day in following days for up to 5 days) and corticosteroids were administered for 53 out 54 patients. Oxygen therapy was only needed for 30% (n = 19) of the patients. Results: A 40% mortality rate was observed within the three-week follow-up, with deaths concentrated among those with controlled diabetes mellitus (61%) and long-term diabetes mellitus patients (an average of eight versus four years). Higher mortality was also observed in patients with higher leucocytes and those with rhino-orbital-cerebral (59%), followed by nasal (55.6%) mucormycosis. Among survivors, 32% were reinfected, and 56% suffered from loss of vision. Conclusion: The study concludes that mucormycosis is associated with a higher mortality rate among COVID-19 patients with diabetes mellitus, particularly corticosteroid recipients. Thus, urgent attention to this coinfection is warranted in Iran.
