Excess Mortality among Physicians and Dentists during COVID-19 in Italy: A Cross-Sectional Study Related to a High-Risk Territory

Abstract

Background: Many studies previously reported epidemiological data on mortality due to COVID-19 among health workers. All these studies included a partial sample of the population with a substantial selection bias. The present study evaluates the trend of mortality among physicians and dentists operating in an area considered to be at high risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data relating to all physicians and dentists registered in the province of Pavia (Italy), a sample consisting of 5454 doctors in 2020 was analyzed. The mortality rates obtained were compared with those related to the 5-year period preceding the pandemic and with those related to the general population. Results: In the area considered, a mortality rate of 0.83% (+69% compared to 2015–2019) was observed in the entire sample in 2020 and 0.43% (−11% compared to 2015–2019) in 2021; among physicians, there was a mortality rate of 0.76% (+53% compared to 2015-2019) in 2020 and 0.35% (−29% compared to 2015–2019) in 2021; for dentists, there was a mortality rate of 1.27% (+185% compared to 2015–2019) in 2020 and 1.01% (+127% compared to 2015–2019) in 2021. Conclusions: These data report the global impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on physicians and dentists in a high-risk territory. In 2020, a significant increase in the mortality rate compared to the previous 5 years was observed for both physicians and dentists; in 2021, a significant increase in the mortality rate was observed only for dentists. These data are also significant in evaluating the impact of vaccination on physicians and dentists and indicate that dentists were among the professions most at risk during the pandemic.

Dynamic Trends in Sociodemographic Disparities and COVID-19 Morbidity and Mortality—A Nationwide Study during Two Years of a Pandemic

“…The findings of this nationwide study cautiously suggest that the socioeconomic gradient patterns previously established in COVID-19 literature [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ] are not applicable to Israel throughout five waves of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic regarding infections, hospitalizations, and mortality. Furthermore, we show that there has been a gradual decline in the case fatality ratio (CFR) throughout the ongoing outbreak in Israel.…”

“…In the ongoing public health COVID-19 crisis, first identified in Wuhan, China, various risk factors impacting population outcomes have been exposed. Through the surveillance of clinical characteristics and hospital course outcomes of laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus, it was quickly identified that risk factors for more severe course of disease include both older age and the presence of a comorbid disease [ 8 , 9 ]. Findings from international literature globally have ascribed evidence of disparities based on socioeconomic status, whereby those who bear the burden of the pandemic are predominantly from the lower socioeconomic groups (Findings from North America [ 10 , 11 ]; Europe [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]; South America [ 15 , 16 ]; Africa [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]; Asia [ 19 , 20 ]; Australia [ 21 ]).…”

“…In addition to socioeconomic status, other factors, such as profession, have been identified as risk factors for higher disease severity. For instance, healthcare professionals have been found to be at a greater risk of contracting and experiencing severe symptoms of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, compared to the general population [ 9 ].…”

Telehealth Readiness of Healthcare Providers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia

“…COVID-19 has infected millions of people and caused thousands of fatalities in 215 countries, such as the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Saudi Arabia [ 2 ]. According to mortality data, healthcare provider mortality had an increase of approximately 68.83% in 2020 [ 3 ]. The COVID-19 pandemic brought enormous pressure and changes to the general population, such as fear of becoming infected, uncertainty, confusion, and a sense of urgency [ 4 ].…”