The respiratory system is the primary site of SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, growing data indicate that the oral cavity is involved in patients recovering from severe COVID-19. The present work explores correlates of xerostomia among severe COVID-19 survivors drawn from a Latin American sample. Conducted as a prospective multicenter analysis within the Latin American Registry of Cardiovascular Disease and COVID-19, the study examined records of 272 severe COVID-19 patients managed at 7 facilities across 5 countries (Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Argentina, and Paraguay). Extended follow-up captured demographic profiles, comorbid conditions, lifestyle habits, cardiovascular sequelae, and oral health status. Associations with xerostomia were identified via logistic regression in R. 20.6% of subjects experienced xerostomia. Females accounted for 53.6% of the affected subgroup, whereas they represented 35.6% of those free of the symptom. Across the entire cohort, the predominant comorbidities were overweight/obesity (57.0%), hypertension (55.9%), and dyslipidemia (32.0%). Relative to individuals without xerostomia, those reporting the symptom presented elevated proportions of dyslipidemia (48.2% vs. 27.8%) and asthma/COPD (16.1% vs. 4.2%). Multivariable logistic regression revealed independent associations with xerostomia for asthma/COPD (aOR: 5.14; 95% CI: 1.76–15.7), palpitations (aOR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.04–5.94), and chest pain (aOR: 3.74; 95% CI: 1.67–8.43). Male sex, on the other hand, was tied to diminished xerostomia odds (aOR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.24–0.89). The present results emphasize that clinicians should incorporate active screening for oral health complaints, including xerostomia, into post-COVID follow-up, particularly for individuals burdened by cardiopulmonary conditions and lingering systemic manifestations.
