Quality of Life in Mucormycosis Patients Post Discharge: A Pilot Study Using a New MQOL-36 Questionairre

To evaluate the Quality of Life in Mucormycosis patients in our hospital using a new MQOL36 questionnaire post discharge. 37 cases between Apr 2021 to July 2021 were included in the study with a minimum follow up period of 4 weeks. They were administered Mucormycosis quality-of-life questionnaire (MQOL-36) either in person or via telephonic interview and answers were recorded into digital questionnaire modulated by us using a digital data recording app—KoBoCollect. Their demographic, clinical, imaging, histopathological and treatment data was retrieved and analysed. Most of the patients reported their health to be good with only 1 patient who had extensive cranial involvement reporting as poor and still undergoing repeated surgeries. 46.67% had no nasal complaints, 20% had nasal obstruction, 13.33% had nasal discharge with 2 patients complaining of crusting and 1 of whistling sound at quiet respiration. Most worrying factor was financial condition with 33.33% patients financially distraught and 43.33% being affected but barely managing at present. Only 2 patients reported no economic impact. Mucormycosis in COVID-19 has changed the face of otorhinolaryngology as we know it—while treating the disease is important, treating the post operative aftermath also becomes equally important. The MQOL-36 produces a quality-of-life profile scoring an individual’s perception of quality of life in the following domains: Physical, Psychological, Level of Independence, Social Relationships and Environment. Monitoring the quality of life in patients post discharge could help us manage the enormous morbidity associated with the disease.