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A real world analysis of COVID-19 impact on hospitalizations in older adults with chronic conditions from an Italian region.

Authors :
Bosetti, Cristina
Rognoni, Magda
Ciampichini, Roberta
Paroni, Luca
Scala, Marco
d'Oro, Luca Cavalieri
Zucchi, Alberto
Amerio, Andrea
Iacoviello, Licia
Ghislandi, Simone
Odone, Anna
Stuckler, David
Gallus, Silvano
Lost in Lombardia Project Investigators
Jarach, Carlotta Micaela
Lugo, Alessandra
Stival, Chiara
Amore, Mario
Serafini, Gianluca
De Sena, Roberto
Source :
Scientific Reports; 8/12/2022, Vol. 12 Issue 1, p1-8, 8p
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

Healthcare delivery reorganization during the COVID-19 emergency may have had a significant impact on access to care for older adults with chronic conditions. We investigated such impact among all adults with chronic conditions aged ≥ 65 years, identified through the electronic health databases of two local health agencies—ATS Brianza and ATS Bergamo—from the Lombardy region, Italy. We considered hospitalizations for 2020 compared to the average 2017–2019 and quantified differences using rate ratios (RRs). Overall, in 2017–2019 there were a mean of 374,855 older adults with ≥ 1 chronic condition per year in the two ATS and 405,371 in 2020. Hospitalizations significantly decreased from 84,624 (225.8/1000) in 2017–2019 to 78,345 (193.3/1000) in 2020 (RR 0.86). Declines were reported in individuals with many chronic conditions and for most Major Diagnostic Categories, except for diseases of the respiratory system. The strongest reductions were observed in hospitalizations for individuals with active tumours, particularly for surgical ones. Hospitalization rates increased in individuals with diabetes, likely due to COVID-19-related diseases. Although determinants of the decrease in demand and supply for care among chronic older adults are to be further explored, this raises awareness on their impacts on chronic patients' health in the medium and long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20452322
Volume :
12
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Scientific Reports
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
158509924
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-17941-2