Impact of COVID-19 on Outpatient Care for Urological Conditions at a University Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) rapidly spread throughout the world, with diverse negative consequences in all fields, including the continuity of treatment for patients with other diseases. The public hospital for high-complexity procedures affiliated with the São José do Rio Preto School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil, normally has a high annual quantity of outpatient appointments. However, the consequences of COVID-19 led to a reduction in the number of appointments, exams, and outpatient procedures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on outpatient care for individuals with urological conditions at a university hospital.Patients and Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted involving the analysis of all outpatient appointments for individuals with urological conditions at the Urology Clinic of the São José do Rio Preto Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil, between January 2019 (pre-pandemic period) and December 2020 (after the first year of COVID-19). The variables of interest were sex, age, and affected organs of the genitourinary system.Results: Among the 4,972 outpatient appointments involving patients with urological conditions in 2019, 70.7% involved males and the largest portion of patients were in the seventh decade of life (40.02%). Among the 4,584 outpatient appointments in 2020, 69.9% involved males and the largest portion were in the seventh decade of life (47.07%). Significant differences were found in the number of outpatient appointments between 2019 and 2020 in all age groups (p < 0.0001). The most affected organs of the genitourinary system in both 2019 and 2020 were the prostate (46.07% and 56.31%, respectively), bladder (30.56% and 22.48%, respectively), and kidney/ureter (22.85% and 19.68%, respectively), with no significant differences between the two years. Conclusion:The COVID-19 pandemic exerted an impact on outpatient care for individuals with urological conditions at a university hospital, leading to a reduction in the number of appointments. No change was found with regard to the sex of the patient. In contrast, an increase was found in the number of patients 60 years of age or older during the year of the pandemic. The most affected organs of the genitourinary system were the prostate, bladder, and kidney/ureter in both years analyzed.