Decline in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding during COVID-19 pandemic after initiation of lockdown in Austria.

ABSTRACT:

Background

COVID-19 has spread rapidly around the world. The Austrian government implemented a lockdown on 16 March to contain further spread of the disease. We investigated the effects of lockdown on acute upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in Austria.

Methods

We contacted 98 Austrian hospitals performing emergency endoscopies. The hospitals were asked to report upper GI endoscopies performed for recent hematemesis, melena, or both, and exhibiting endoscopically visible signs of bleeding. The study period was from 3 weeks before (calendar Week 9) to 3 weeks after (Week 14) initiation of the lockdown.

Results

61 % of Austrian hospitals, and importantly all major state hospitals, responded. A total of 575 upper GI bleedings occurred during the 3 weeks before and 341

SUBMITTER: Schmiderer A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7653543 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature