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INCREASED BURDEN OF SWALLOWING DISORDERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A HOSPITAL SYSTEM-WIDE AUDIT
Gastroenterology ; 160(6):S-216, 2021.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-1592398
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The indirect health impact of COVID-19 caused by delayed access to care or deferred medical procedures is yet to be fully appreciated.

METHODS:

We conducted a hospital system-wide audit of all inpatient gastrointestinal (GI) consults performed during the lockdown phase (3/23/2020 – 5/10/2020, n = 558) and the reopening phase (6/1/2020 –7/19/2020, n = 713) of the pandemic and compared against data from 2019 in order to discover any changes in disease burdens. GI diagnoses were derived from the patients' discharge summaries and verified by an independent review of the associated GI consult notes.

RESULTS:

The volume of inpatient consults was reduced by 27.7% during the lockdown phase compared to the same period in 2019. Yet, the proportion of consults for swallowing disorders (food impaction or chronic dysphagia from eosinophilic esophagitis or achalasia) was increased by 50.9% (p = 0.04). Coincidentally, all outpatient esophageal motility study or elective endoscopic dilation procedures at our hospital system were post-poned during this phase. While the volume of consults was restored during the reopening phase to 101% of that of the same period in 2019. The proportion of consults for swallowing disorders remained elevated by 47.7% (p = 0.02). In comparison, there was no significant change in the proportions of consults for foreign/caustic substance ingestion, inflammatory bowel diseases, or gastrointestinal bleeding during either the lockdown phase or the reopening phase.

CONCLUSIONS:

There was a significant surge in the demand for inpatient consults for swallowing disorders following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, coinciding with the postponement of elective endoscopic procedures. Resources should be allocated to manage patients with underlying esophageal motility disorders more effectively as the pan-demic continues.
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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Gastroenterology Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Gastroenterology Year: 2021 Document Type: Article