Home > Pulmonology > ERS 2021 > COPD: Evidence Update > The effect of the pandemic on the discharge diagnosis of older COPD patients

The effect of the pandemic on the discharge diagnosis of older COPD patients

Conference
ERS 2021
Differences in discharge diagnosis of COPD patients were compared before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Less respiratory tract infections (RTIs) were observed during the pandemic due to social distancing measures. More complications related to lung cancer were seen because of inadequate monitoring of the disease. In addition, more patients were diagnosed with lung cancer during the pandemic, which were mainly from lower socioeconomic classes.

People with respiratory conditions like COPD have been at increased risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 measures have had a big impact on the diagnosis and follow-up of respiratory diseases. Decreases and delays in identifying new cancers and delivery of treatment will increase morbidity and mortality for years to come. The aim of the presented study was to evaluate possible differences in the discharge diagnosis of older patients with COPD with known lung cancer, first diagnosis of lung cancer, and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) [1]. Data from pre-pandemic (2019) was compared with data from during the pandemic (2020).

In total, 514 patients were included who were admitted in 2019 and 464 patients in 2020. The mean age was 70 years. In 2020, more patients (54/76, 71%) came from underdeveloped areas compared with 2019 (P<0.01).

Table: Discharge diagnosis before (2019) and during (2020) the COVID-19 pandemic [1]



In 2020, fewer patients with an LRTI were admitted compared with 2019 (see Table). In contrast, more patients were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 and more complications were seen in patients with known lung cancer in 2020 versus 2019.

To conclude, differences in discharge diagnosis could have been related to COVID-19 measures like quarantine and lack of monitoring of disease progression. Moreover, patients from lower socioeconomic classes had less adequate access to the public healthcare system in 2020 than in 2019.

  1. Dodos K, et al. Late Breaking Abstract - Preliminary results in differences between elderly COPD patients admitted in a COVID-19 free respiratory ward before and during the pandemic. Abstract 105. ERS 2021, 5–8 September.

 

Copyright ©2021 Medicom Medical Publishers



Posted on