Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on orofacial and respiratory infections in ear, nose, and throat and oral and maxillofacial surgery emergency departments: a retrospective study of 7900 patients

Abstract

Objectives The study purpose was to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rate and disease profile of orofacial and respiratory infections in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) emergency units. Materials and methods Records of patients with orofacial or respiratory infection, or infectious symptoms, diagnosed in the OMFS or ENT Emergency Departments of the Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland between 1st March and 30th October 2020 and the corresponding periods in 2018 and 2019 were reviewed. The main outcome variable was the occurrence of studied infections during the evaluated periods. Other study variables were age, gender, residence area, speciality, specific cause for the emergency department visit and admission to ward. Results There was a significant 37% decrease in the number of infection patients in 2020 compared to the years 2019 and 2018 (1894 vs. 2929 and 3077, respectively, p < .001). A mean decrease of 51% (from 1319 and 1249 patients in 2018 and 2019, respectively, to 592 patients in 2020) was seen in the “Other ENT respiratory infection” category. ENT patients were 51% less likely to be admitted to the ward in 2020 compared to 2019 and 2018 (p = .013). Conclusion A significant decrease was observed in the volume of emergency department visits for orofacial and respiratory infections during the COVID-19-pandemic in 2020 compared to the non-COVID periods. Clinical relevance It seems that social distancing, facial mask wearing, and other infection prevention precautions have changed the accustomed patient profile in orofacial and respiratory infections.

COVID‐19 pandemic—Impact on deep neck space infections: A retrospective cohort study

“…However, in our centre, intensive care occupancy was less in the COVID-19 pandemic period compared with the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period (average daily bed occupancy 18.71 and 18.75, respectively), and case-note review did not identify any instances of intensive care availability affecting decision-making regarding tracheostomy. We observed a slight increase in incidence of DNSIs (n = 27 vs. 26) during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite a reported decrease in incidence of orofacial and respiratory infections 3 ; oropharyngeal and DNSIs 4 ; and odontogenic cervicofacial infections. 5,6 This is likely due to increased progression of simple infections which were not treated promptly due to hospital/primary care avoidance.…”

“…Several studies have evaluated the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on upper respiratory tract, pharyngeal and orofacial/cervicofacial infections, including DNSIs, 3–6 but none have focused specifically on DNSIs, or evaluated a UK setting. The pandemic's impact on management of DNSIs has yet to be evaluated—a particularly pertinent point given the frequent requirement for airway management in the context of concern around intensive care capacity and aerosol‐generating procedures.…”

“…1 There has also been reduced capacity for face-to-face primary care consultation and examination, especially for upper respiratory tract symptoms such as a sore throat and changes in the hospital management and allocation of hospital resources, particularly intensive care capacity and availability. 2 Several studies have evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on upper respiratory tract, pharyngeal and orofacial/ cervicofacial infections, including DNSIs, [3][4][5][6] but none have focused specifically on DNSIs, or evaluated a UK setting. The pandemic's impact on management of DNSIs has yet to be evaluated-a particularly pertinent point given the frequent requirement for airway management in the context of concern around intensive care capacity and aerosol-generating procedures.…”

The Changing Trend of Paediatric Emergency Department Visits in Malaysia Following the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The 'don'ts' include avoiding crowded areas, conversing close to others and being in confined spaces. Whilst the initial intention of these recommendations was to curb the transmission of COVID-19 via air droplets, a cascading positive effect of preventing other diseases was observed [19]. The decline in fever and other infectious diseases during the MCO period substantiates this observation.…”

“…Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It was first identified in Wuhan, China, and subsequently spread globally.…”