Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA · 2026
Impact of COVID-19 on Abdominal Pain Presentations and Hospital Outcomes in New South Wales: Findings From the ICON Study.
СтатьяМногоцентровое исследованиеНазвание и аннотация: Перевод пока не подготовлен
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Lozzi Lydia, Alkhouri Hatem, Chen Huei-Yang, Singh Symret, Hugh Thomas J, Gillett Mark
Аннотация
OBJECTIVE: To examine trends in emergency department (ED) presentations, hospital admissions, and patient outcomes for abdominal pain across New South Wales (NSW) before, during, and after the first COVID-19 lockdown.
METHODS: This multi-centre retrospective study analysed de-identified administrative data from NSW public hospitals. ED presentations and hospital admissions for abdominal pain were reviewed across five 31-day periods: pre-pandemic, lockdown, and 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-lockdown.
RESULTS: A total of 35,327 abdominal pain ED presentations were identified. Presentations fell by 31.0%, from 7531 pre-pandemic to 5199 during lockdown, then increased steadily to 7942 (5.5% above baseline) at 12 months. Acuity shifted, with urgent triage cases rising from 57.6% to 61.7%, while semi-urgent cases declined. Ambulance arrivals grew from 23.4% to 28.5% during lockdown, offset by fewer walk-ins. Hospital admissions rose from 2517 at baseline to 2733 at lockdown onset, peaking at 3017 at 3 months later a 19.9% increase (χ2 = 92.28, df = 4, p < 0.0001). Emergency admissions showed a similar pattern (χ2 = 156.81, df = 4, p < 0.0001). Surgical admissions increased from 697 (32.8%) to 840 (38.2%) initially, before declining to 750 (34.2%) at 12 months (p < 0.01). ICU admission rates remained stable, though average ICU hours fluctuated. The mean length of stay for acute overnight admissions shortened from 6.6 days pre-pandemic to 6.0 days during lockdown, returning to 6.5 days by 12 months.
CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic substantially altered patterns of abdominal pain presentations and hospital use, with lasting changes in acuity and admission practices.
METHODS: This multi-centre retrospective study analysed de-identified administrative data from NSW public hospitals. ED presentations and hospital admissions for abdominal pain were reviewed across five 31-day periods: pre-pandemic, lockdown, and 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-lockdown.
RESULTS: A total of 35,327 abdominal pain ED presentations were identified. Presentations fell by 31.0%, from 7531 pre-pandemic to 5199 during lockdown, then increased steadily to 7942 (5.5% above baseline) at 12 months. Acuity shifted, with urgent triage cases rising from 57.6% to 61.7%, while semi-urgent cases declined. Ambulance arrivals grew from 23.4% to 28.5% during lockdown, offset by fewer walk-ins. Hospital admissions rose from 2517 at baseline to 2733 at lockdown onset, peaking at 3017 at 3 months later a 19.9% increase (χ2 = 92.28, df = 4, p < 0.0001). Emergency admissions showed a similar pattern (χ2 = 156.81, df = 4, p < 0.0001). Surgical admissions increased from 697 (32.8%) to 840 (38.2%) initially, before declining to 750 (34.2%) at 12 months (p < 0.01). ICU admission rates remained stable, though average ICU hours fluctuated. The mean length of stay for acute overnight admissions shortened from 6.6 days pre-pandemic to 6.0 days during lockdown, returning to 6.5 days by 12 months.
CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic substantially altered patterns of abdominal pain presentations and hospital use, with lasting changes in acuity and admission practices.