Pharmacological treatment, adversities, and mobile-based post-discharge follow-up of mucormycosis survivors in Central India: strengthening patient care
- 1Department of Pharmacology, R. D. Gardi Medical College , , ,
- 2Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Government District Hospital , ,
Abstract
Introduction
Mucormycosis, a significant post-COVID-19 complication, is stimulated by uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM), prolonged corticosteroid exposure, or immunosuppression. Despite clinical advancements, survivors experience long-term challenges; however, follow-up is often missing from treatment strategies, highlighting a critical gap in safeguarding survivors' long-term well-being.Objective
To analyze pharmacological management, adverse events, and post-discharge outcomes among rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) patients using medical records and Mobile-Based Post-Discharge (MBPD) follow-up, to inform future clinical and follow-up practices.Method
Clinical data of confirmed ROCM inpatients (2021) at two COVID-19-dedicated hospitals in Central India were extracted from medical records and analyzed. Mucormycosis survivors were followed up in 2023 using the MBPD questionnaire to explore overall treatment, post-discharge adversities, and outcomes. The clinical findings and patient-reported experiences were summarised descriptively. Factors associated with adversities were examined using multivariable Firth-penalized logistic regression.Results
Among 108 mucormycosis patients, DM was present in 32% of inpatients. Liposomal amphotericin B (71%) and posaconazole (75%) were predominantly prescribed. Access (40%), Watch (39%), and Not Recommended antibiotic combinations (13%) were most prescribed. An average of 1.3 adverse drug reactions were recorded among 73 inpatients. Of 97 survivors, 36 were non-responders. Eighty could be contacted, and 61 (76%) consented to participate in MBPD follow-up. Fifty-two of 61 respondents reported 123 post-discharge adversities, averaging 2.4 adversities per patient, including 9 (7%) deaths confirmed by family members. Antifungal prescription was significantly associated with adversities (aOR 5.82, 95% CI 1.56-21.71; p = 0.009), whereas older age (>60 years) showed a borderline association. Respondents appreciated the follow-up calls and emphasized regularizing them.Conclusion
Liposomal amphotericin B, posaconazole, and antibiotics were the most prescribed drugs. DM was the most common comorbidity, highlighting the need for careful monitoring. Antifungal prescriptions were significantly associated with adversities, suggesting the need for implementation of a contextual drug-use policy. The MBPD follow-up was well received and may help monitor recovery, identify health needs, and support the care of survivors of chronic diseases in the future. Survivor-centred care models are suggested to support post-discharge recovery and multidimensional challenges.
Related
- A Fatal Case of Disseminated Mucormycosis in a Patient Shortly after Starting Treatment against Malignant Lymphoma
- Evaluating treatment efficacy for Iliotibial Band Syndrome: A comparison of combined foam rolling and stretching with strengthening exercises versus strengthening alone in athletes
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: Pathogenesis, complications and pharmacological treatment
- Improvement of germination properties in barley (Hordeum vulgare) seeds damaged by Sitophilus oryzae infestation via dielectric barrier discharge plasma treatment
- Inter-organ interaction axes in systemic inflammation: network pathological mechanisms, pharmacological targets, and precision treatment strategies
BibTeX
@article{baghel2026pharmacological,
title = {{Pharmacological treatment, adversities, and mobile-based post-discharge follow-up of mucormycosis survivors in Central India: strengthening patient care}},
author = {Ruchi Baghel and Preeti Acharya and Anshu Verma and Megha Sharma},
journal = {Frontiers in health services},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/frhs.2026.1911647},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13716765},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Pharmacological treatment, adversities, and mobile-based post-discharge follow-up of mucormycosis survivors in Central India: strengthening patient care
AU - Ruchi Baghel
AU - Preeti Acharya
AU - Anshu Verma
AU - Megha Sharma
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - Frontiers in health services
DO - 10.3389/frhs.2026.1911647
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13716765
AB - Introduction Mucormycosis, a significant post-COVID-19 complication, is stimulated by uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM), prolonged corticosteroid exposure, or immunosuppression. Despite clinical advancements, survivors experience long-term challenges; however, follow-up is often missing from treatment strategies, highlighting a critical gap in safeguarding survivors' long-term well-being.Objective To analyze pharmacological management, adverse events, and post-discharge outcomes among rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) patients using medical records and Mobile-Based Post-Discharge (MBPD) follow-up, to inform future clinical and follow-up practices.Method Clinical data of confirmed ROCM inpatients (2021) at two COVID-19-dedicated hospitals in Central India were extracted from medical records and analyzed. Mucormycosis survivors were followed up in 2023 using the MBPD questionnaire to explore overall treatment, post-discharge adversities, and outcomes. The clinical findings and patient-reported experiences were summarised descriptively. Factors associated with adversities were examined using multivariable Firth-penalized logistic regression.Results Among 108 mucormycosis patients, DM was present in 32% of inpatients. Liposomal amphotericin B (71%) and posaconazole (75%) were predominantly prescribed. Access (40%), Watch (39%), and Not Recommended antibiotic combinations (13%) were most prescribed. An average of 1.3 adverse drug reactions were recorded among 73 inpatients. Of 97 survivors, 36 were non-responders. Eighty could be contacted, and 61 (76%) consented to participate in MBPD follow-up. Fifty-two of 61 respondents reported 123 post-discharge adversities, averaging 2.4 adversities per patient, including 9 (7%) deaths confirmed by family members. Antifungal prescription was significantly associated with adversities (aOR 5.82, 95% CI 1.56-21.71; p = 0.009), whereas older age (>60 years) showed a borderline association. Respondents appreciated the follow-up calls and emphasized regularizing them.Conclusion Liposomal amphotericin B, posaconazole, and antibiotics were the most prescribed drugs. DM was the most common comorbidity, highlighting the need for careful monitoring. Antifungal prescriptions were significantly associated with adversities, suggesting the need for implementation of a contextual drug-use policy. The MBPD follow-up was well received and may help monitor recovery, identify health needs, and support the care of survivors of chronic diseases in the future. Survivor-centred care models are suggested to support post-discharge recovery and multidimensional challenges.
SN - 2813-0146
ER -