Mucormycosis in Diabetic Patients: Clinical Spectrum, Management Strategies, and Treatment Outcomes at a Tertiary Care Center

Background: Mucormycosis is a rare but aggressive opportunistic fungal infection that predominantly affects immunocompromised individuals, particularly patients with diabetes mellitus. Poor glycemic control creates a favorable environment for fungal proliferation, leading to rapid disease progression and high mortality. The rising incidence of mucormycosis among diabetic patients highlights the need for a detailed evaluation of its clinical presentation, management strategies, and outcomes. Objective: To assess the clinical features, diagnostic approaches, management strategies, and treatment outcomes of mucormycosis among diabetic patients presenting to the Department of ENT, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Methodology: A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted involving 250 diabetic patients diagnosed with mucormycosis between June 2023 and June 2024. Data were collected from medical records, including demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, treatment strategies, and outcomes. A prospective follow-up of six months was performed to evaluate recovery and mortality. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 25.0, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The rhino-orbital-cerebral form was the most common clinical presentation, affecting 72% of patients. Pulmonary, cutaneous, and disseminated forms were less frequent. Complete recovery was observed in 40%, partial recovery in 36%, while 24% of patients died. Uncontrolled diabetes showed a statistically significant association with increased disease severity and mortality. Conclusion: Mucormycosis represents a serious and often fatal complication among diabetic patients, particularly those with poor glycemic control. Early diagnosis, aggressive antifungal therapy, timely surgical intervention, and stringent diabetes management are critical to improving patient outcomes. These findings provide valuable insight for optimizing clinical management strategies in resource-limited settings. Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, Glycemic Control, Mucormycosis, Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral, Treatment Outcomes.