The change of disease rates in primary care due to pandemic measures
Binnur Tağtekin Sezer
Keywords: Covid-19, viral diseases, preventive measures, primary care
Aim:
The most common infections in primary care are caused by viral origins. Mask-distance-hygiene measures taken due to the pandemic are also thought to prevent other viral infections. The aim of the study is to determine the change in diagnoses that may be caused by viruses in a family medicine unit and in the pre- and post-pandemic period. Also it was aimed to determine the effect of the Covid-19 virus and the measures taken on this change.
Method:
In this study, a 2-year retrospective evaluation was made based on the period of March 2020, when Covid 19 infection was first seen in our country. The seasonal variation of common diagnoses in primary care, which are also frequently performed by Covid-19 virus and coded in the same way indistinguishably, were evaluated.
Results:
There were a total of 9781 patient records in the four specified periods. 765 (27%) of 2820 patients in the period March-May 2019; 839 (28%) of 3013 patients in the period of September-November 2019; 433 (24%) of 1837 patients the period of March-May 2020; and 488 (23%) of 2111 patients in the period of September-November 2020 were diagnosed with upper respiratory tract infection. No significant changes were found between similar periods (p>0.05). When detailed diagnoses were examined, significant changes were detected in patient rates diagnosed with otitis (p=0.01), periodontal disease (p<0.001) and allergy (p=0.02). In addition, after the pandemic was declared, a significant increase was detected in covid-19 positive patient rates diagnosed between March-May and September-November 2020 (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
The lack of meaningful change in the rates of upper respiratory tract infection suggests that the measures taken are not effective. The proportional increase in diagnoses of otitis, periodontal disease and allergies can be associated with the coronavirus infection clinic.
#146