Jacqueline Justino Nabhen1,2, Tayza Katelline Danilau Ostroski2,3, Milena Massumi Kozonoe2,4, Dinarte Orlandi5, Tiago Tormen5, Sérgio Ossamu Ioshii2,4,6. 1. Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná, Faculdade de Medicina, Curitiba, PR, Brasil. 2. Hospital Erasto Gaertner, Departamento de Anatomia Patológica, Curitiba, PR, Brasil. 3. Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Interna e Ciências da Saúde, Curitiba, PR, Brasil. 4. Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Programa de Pós-Graduação de Tecnologia em Saúde, Curitiba, PR, Brasil. 5. Diretor Técnico, Hospital Erasto Gaertner, Curitiba, PR, Brasil. 6. Diretor Clínico, Hospital Erasto Gaertner, Curitiba, PR, Brasil.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate whether there has been a reduction in patient admission to a high-complexity cancer care center in Brasil during the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to what was reported in Europe. METHODS: We reviewed the cancer tracking database of the largest cancer center in southern Brasil and performed statistical tests to compare first-time appointments from the onset of the outbreak until the end of June to those of the equivalent period in 2019. RESULTS: We observed a dramatic reduction (-42%) in first-time appointments during the pandemic compared to the same period in the previous year (P <0.001). This reduction was observed among all medical specialties (P <0.001). CONCLUSION: The onset of COVID-19 was correlated with a reduction in admission to a high-complexity cancer care center in Brasil. Since a delay in diagnosis and treatment may influence prognosis, it is important that cancer centers and public health strategies reinforce care for non-COVID-19 patients to prevent potentially unnecessary deaths.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate whether there has been a reduction in patient admission to a high-complexity cancer care center in Brasil during the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to what was reported in Europe. METHODS: We reviewed the cancer tracking database of the largest cancer center in southern Brasil and performed statistical tests to compare first-time appointments from the onset of the outbreak until the end of June to those of the equivalent period in 2019. RESULTS: We observed a dramatic reduction (-42%) in first-time appointments during the pandemic compared to the same period in the previous year (P <0.001). This reduction was observed among all medical specialties (P <0.001). CONCLUSION: The onset of COVID-19 was correlated with a reduction in admission to a high-complexity cancer care center in Brasil. Since a delay in diagnosis and treatment may influence prognosis, it is important that cancer centers and public health strategies reinforce care for non-COVID-19patients to prevent potentially unnecessary deaths.