Increasing incidence of complicated appendicitis during COVID-19 pandemic - 04/05/21
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Abstract |
Background |
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) strain has resulted in restrictions potentially impacting patients presenting with acute appendicitis and their disease burden.
Methods |
All acute appendicitis admissions (281 patients) between 1/1/2018-4/30/2020 were reviewed. Two groups were created: 6 weeks before (Group A) and 6 weeks after (Group B) the date elective surgeries were postponed in Massachusetts for COVID-19. Acute appendicitis incidence and disease characteristics were compared between the groups. Similar time periods from 2018 to 2019 were also compared.
Results |
Fifty-four appendicitis patients were categorized in Group A and thirty-seven in Group B. Those who underwent surgery were compared and revealed a 45.5% decrease (CI: 64.2,-26.7) in uncomplicated appendicitis, a 21.1% increase (CI:3.9,38.3) in perforated appendicitis and a 29% increase (CI:11.5,46.5) in gangrenous appendicitis. Significant differences in the incidence of uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis were also noted when comparing 2020 to previous years.
Conclusions |
The significant increase in complicated appendicitis and simultaneous significant decrease in uncomplicated appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic indicate that patients are not seeking appropriate, timely surgical care.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Highlights |
• | The fear of contracting COVID-19 has affected healthcare access for patients. |
• | Acute appendicitis patients had delayed presentation to the Emergency Room. |
• | Delayed presentation resulted in decrease of uncomplicated, acute appendicitis. |
• | Patients with complicated appendicitis significantly increased during the pandemic. |
Keywords : Acute appendicitis, Complicated appendicitis, COVID-19
Plan
Vol 221 - N° 5
P. 1056-1060 - mai 2021 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.