Complicated Appendicitis in COVID-19 Era

Background The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on medical services is overwhelming due to limited medical resources. During its initial surge in 2020, Taiwan's government rapidly established diverse public actions, which helped maintain the medical supply without travel restrictions. However, whether the fear of being infected with COVID-19 interfered with health-seeking behavior (HSB) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate whether acute complicated appendicitis (ACA) rates in adults were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods A retrospective analysis of acute appendicitis in adults was performed between January 1 and June 30, 2020 (COVID-19 period). The control period was collected from the first two quarters for the preceding 3 years. Outcome measures were ACA and length of hospital stays.

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Key information

Conditions

Covid19 Appendicitis Behavior COVID-19 Cecal Diseases Complicated Appendicitis Coronaviridae Infections Coronavirus Infections Digestive System Diseases Gastroenteritis Gastrointestinal Diseases Health Behavior Infections Intestinal Diseases Intraabdominal Infections Lung Diseases Nidovirales Infections Pneumonia Pneumonia, Viral RNA Virus Infections Respiratory Tract Diseases Respiratory Tract Infections Virus Diseases

Age range

20 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Acute appendicitis

Exclusion criteria

Treatment and study plan

impact of COVID-19 on Health-Seeking Behaviors

Other

The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on medical services is overwhelming due to limited medical resources. During its initial surge in 2020, Taiwan's government rapidly established diverse public actions, which helped maintain the medical supply without travel restrictions. However, whether the fear of being infected with COVID-19 interfered with health-seeking behavior (HSB) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate whether acute complicated appendicitis (ACA) rates in adults were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Primary outcomes

Incidence of complicated appendicitis

Time frame: baseline, pre-surgery

The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of ACA defined as abscess observed in computed tomography, presence of appendiceal perforation determined by surgical documentation, or a description of gangrenous appendicitis assessed by pathological reports.

Secondary outcomes

Length of hospital stays

Time frame: up to 4 weeks

the duration of hospital stays after surgery

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Taiwan University Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Increased Incidence of Adult Complicated Appendicitis in One Resource-Competent Community During the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic: Time to Improve Health-Seeking Behaviors

Important dates

Study start: 2017
Primary completion: 2020
Study completion: 2021
First posted: Aug 19, 2021
Registry last updated: Aug 19, 2021

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

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