Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment of head and neck cancer in Brazil

Introduction: To restrict the spread of COVID-19 infection, billions of people around the world have been quarantined or in social isolation. As a result of these health public measures, only essential services were maintained. Outpatient consultations and non-urgent surgeries were suspended to reduce hospitalizations and the risk of contagion. This context resulted in a delay in the diagnosis of several diseases, including head and neck cancer (HNC). Objective(s): To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment of HNC, comparing the number of surgery and radiotherapy, and chemotherapy procedures carried out during the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods in Brazil. Material(s) and Method(s): We compared the mean number of HNC surgeries and the number of radiotherapy and chemotherapy procedures carried out during the pre-pandemic (from March to July 2015-2019) and pandemic period (from March to July 2020) in the five geographic regions of Brazil. Result(s): Between 2015 and 2019, the mean number of surgeries for HNC was 5410. In 2020, during the same period, there were 3522 surgeries, representing a 35% decrease during the pandemic period. The greatest decrease was observed in the Northern region (60.7%). The number of radiotherapy and chemotherapy procedures increased by 50,8% in the pandemic period, with a higher prevalence in the Northeast (75.1%). Conclusion(s): During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the data demonstrate a likely change in the HNC treatment protocol in Brazil.

Epidemiological trends in syphilis diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Introduction: Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum, is a worldwide public health problem and has an essential association with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through behavioral and pathological factors. In Brazil, the syphilis situation is alarming, even with actions and strategies to control transmission implemented by the Brazilian Ministry of Health during the pandemic. Objective(s): To compare the mean number of syphilis cases reported from March to December 2017-2019 with those reported in the same period of 2020 to verify if the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the incidence of syphilis in Brazil. Material(s) and Method(s): A descriptive analysis and incidence rate of data extracted from the Ministry of Health of Brazil's public database was performed. Result(s): In all Brazilian macro regions, the incidence rates of syphilis per million population increased significantly during the pandemic, reaching +78% overall, corresponding to an additional 161 incident cases per million population. The data suggest that the social distancing measures adopted during the pandemic could not interfere with general sexual behaviors in Brazil. Conclusion(s): The observed increase in syphilis cases should be further investigated to assist with decision-making processes and the programming of health measures.