IMPACT OF CONFINEMENT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE HEALTHCARE ACTIVITY OF ADULTS OVER 64 YEARS OF AGE IN AN ORAL HEALTH UNIT OF THE GRAN CANARIA HEALTH AREA

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has meant a drastic change in many aspects of daily life and its impact has been even more evident for the elderly. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to quantify the impact of confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic on the healthcare activity of the elderly over the age of 64 in an Oral Health Unit (USBD) of the Health Area of Gran Canaria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study with data from January 2017 to December 2020. Using an interrupted time series design, we compare the level of visits before and after the decree of the first state of alarm in March 2020. RESULTS: During the period of confinement, an average of 7 patients per day aged 64 years and older stopped visiting the USBD, -6.9573 [-10.40;-3.517]. This represents a drop of close to 85% per week, and 100% in institutionalised patients. 83% of the visits scheduled before confinement did not take place. CONCLUSIONS: The interruption of care activity during confinement has been almost total, which could lead to a higher risk of morbidity and mortality in the long term. The backlog of non received dental treatment represents a threat to patients' oral health and is likely to affect the USBD's capacity for care in the near future.

Febrile crisis as initial manifestation of COVID-19

Introduction: COVID-19 is a disease that has shown low morbidity and mortality in pediatrics. Febrile crises are one of the most common causes of admission to emergency services and consultations with the neuropediatrician. Objective: Interpret the presence of simple febrile crisis in patients admitted to pediatric emergency services as an initial manifestation of COVID-19. Case presentation: One-year-old female patient, with a previous health history, who is attended in the emergency service with a fever of 38 ℃ and motor crisis, of widespread onset, with tonic-clonic seizures, which yielded with antypiretic measures. By protocol, lumbar puncture is performed which is negative. She was admitted, and 24 hours later there is an onset of catarrhal manifestations;an otoscopy is performed and acute otitis media is diagnosed, so antibiotic treatment is initiated. The polymerase chain reaction test for COVID-19 (PCR) is performed with a positive result, so, the patient is referred to the "San Miguel del Padrón" Pediatric Hospital. Conclusions: COVID-19 should be suspected in patients who attend to the emergency services due to a febrile crisis as the only health problem. COVID-19 is a disease that has been shown to occur in a variety of ways. © 2021, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.