The effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on dermatology consultation requests from adult and paediatric emergency departments

Abstract

Aim This study aimed to determine the characteristics of dermatology consultation requests from the adult and paediatric emergency departments (EDs) of a university hospital during 8 months of the COVID‐19 pandemic in 2020 and to compare them with the same 8 months of 2019. Materials and Methods Electronic medical records of dermatology consultation requests from adult and paediatric EDs between 15 March 2019 and 15 November 2019, and between 15 March 2020 and 15 November 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Results The study included 495 consecutive dermatology consultation requests. In total, 283 (57%) consultation requests occurred in 2019, vs 212 (43%) between in 2020 during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The number of consultation requests per day was significantly lower in 2020 (0.9 ± 0.1 per day) than in 2019 (1.15 ± 0.1 per day; P = .002), and was significantly lower in March, April and May 2020, as compared with March, April, and May 2019 ( P = .004, P = .001, and P = .001, respectively). The median time from onset of dermatological symptoms to ED presentation was significantly longer in 2020 than in 2019 (4 days in 2019 vs 7 days in 2020; P < .001). Dermatological emergencies in 2019 and 2020 constituted 6.7% of all emergency presentations, with no significant difference between the 2 years (7.1% of all ED presentations in 2019, vs 6.1% in 2020; P = .795). Conclusion COVID‐19 restrictions and fear of COVID‐19 infection might have discouraged patients from presenting to EDs because of skin problems; however, the easing of COVID‐19 restrictions might lead to an increase in ED presentations, including non‐urgent dermatological disorders. In order to reduce unnecessary use of EDs and prevent ED overcrowding, the general public should be educated about what constitutes a dermatological emergency.

Comparative Evaluation Of Dermatological Emergency Consultations In The Coronavirus Pandemic Era: Tertiary Clinic Experience

“…In this study, consultations requested between 08.00–16.00 increased and the consultations requested between 16.00–00.00 decreased during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period. Similar results were obtained by Neslihan Ogut et al [ 8 ]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, countries started to take measures quickly, the most important of which was the curfew.…”

“…There were few studies investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dermatology consultations requested from emergency departments [ 8 , 9 ]. These studies showed that the number and mean age of consulted patients decreased and the rate of male patients increased during the pandemic period [ 8 , 9 ]. However, our study showed that the mean age of the patients during the pandemic period was higher.…”

“…However, our study showed that the mean age of the patients during the pandemic period was higher. On the other hand, Demirel Ogut et al [ 8 ] reported that the rate of hospitalizations and true dermatological emergencies decreased during the pandemic period. Similar results were obtained in our study.…”

“…These studies showed that the number of non-COVID-19 patients admitted to the ED decreased and their disease profiles changed [ 6 , 7 ]. Despite these studies, studies on dermatological diseases consulted from emergency services were limited [ 8 , 9 ]. This study aimed to evaluate adult dermatological emergency consultations during the COVID-19 period and to compare them with the pre-pandemic period.…”

The Impact of COVID-19 on Hyperhidrosis Patients in the Mental Health and Quality of Life: A Web-Based Surveillance Study

“…This contradicts other medical or dermatological conditions that were impacted significantly due to measures to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Due to restrictions or impacts of the pandemic, patients experienced functional impairment in their quality of life [28]; marked reduction of face-to-face consultations, especially in dermatology [29]; delayed or under-reported diagnosis of skin malignancy [30]; and even decrease in urgent visit for dermatologic conditions [31]. However, this study showed that these kinds of impacts were not serious among hyperhidrosis patients; even the reduction in the outpatient visit might not be recognizable.…”