Health-related quality of life after orbital exenteration for COVID-19-associated rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis in South India: a cross-sectional SF-36 study and systematic review
AI Summary
Physical health preserved after orbital exenteration, PCS comparable to Indian norms (50.20 vs 47.87; p = 0.116).
Mental health markedly impaired, MCS significantly lower than norms (36.30 vs 51.63; p < 0.001), greatest deficit in Social Functioning.
Findings support integrated psychosocial care and accessible rehabilitation for post‑ROCM survivors to address mental health and social reintegration needs.
Orbit. 2026 May 17:1-9. doi: 10.1080/01676830.2026.2671182. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, often necessitating orbital exenteration for disease control. While survival outcomes are increasingly reported, long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among survivors remains poorly characterized, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. This study evaluated HRQoL using the SF-36 among survivors of COVID-19-associated ROCM who underwent orbital exenteration.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, adult survivors of orbital exenteration for COVID-19-associated ROCM treated at a tertiary center in South India completed the SF-36 questionnaire. SF-36 domain and component scores were compared with Indian normative values using Welch’s t-tests. Multivariable linear regression assessed associations between demographic and clinical factors and Physical (PCS) and Mental (MCS) Component Summary scores. A parallel narrative review of QoL studies in COVID-19-associated mucormycosis was conducted.
RESULTS: Thirty-five survivors (mean age 47.0 ± 13.5 years; 60% female) were included. PCS scores were comparable to Indian norms (50.20 vs 47.87; p = 0.116), whereas MCS scores were significantly lower (36.30 vs 51.63; p < 0.001). Social Functioning showed the greatest deficit (-38.28 points vs norms). Male sex was associated with higher PCS, and receipt of any COVID-19 vaccination was associated with higher MCS.
CONCLUSIONS: Survivors of orbital exenteration for COVID-19-associated ROCM exhibit preserved physical health but substantial impairments in mental health and social functioning, highlighting the need for integrated psychosocial care and accessible rehabilitation in post-ROCM survivorship.
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