Complicated Appendicitis in COVID-19 Era

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

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

Conditions
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Covid19, Complicated Appendicitis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: impact of COVID-19 on Health-Seeking Behaviors


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Acute appendicitis Exclusion Criteria: No

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Complicated appendicitis<br>The development of complicated appendicitis, diagnosed during appendectomy or by pre-operative image study | Other: impact of COVID-19 on Health-Seeking Behaviors<br>* 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.<br>|
| Non-complicated appendicitis<br>No development of complicated appendicitis, diagnosed during appendectomy or by pre-operative image study | Other: impact of COVID-19 on Health-Seeking Behaviors<br>* 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.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Incidence of complicated appendicitis | 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. | baseline, pre-surgery | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Length of hospital stays | the duration of hospital stays after surgery | up to 4 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Health-seeking behavior, COVID-19, appendicitis