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Seasonality Disrupted: Post-Pandemic Trends in Otorhinolaryngological Infections
Julia Pickert1, Sarah Riemann1, Andreas Spörlein1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Killlianstraße 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|September 28, 2024
Summary
Post-COVID-19, otorhinolaryngological infections like peritonsillar abscesses and acute tonsillitis significantly increased in winter. Summer infection dips were absent, suggesting altered disease patterns after public health measures ended.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- COVID-19 pandemic altered infectious disease epidemiology.
- Public health measures and vaccination disruptions impacted disease patterns.
- Investigating post-pandemic changes in ENT infections is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze shifts in otorhinolaryngological (ENT) infectious disease epidemiology.
- To compare adult and pediatric patient data pre- and post-pandemic.
- To assess the impact of eased public health restrictions on ENT infections.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study (2019-2023) at a German tertiary university hospital.
- Analysis of inpatient cases with ICD-10 diagnoses in otorhinolaryngology.
- Seasonal categorization and statistical analysis of epidemiological data.
Main Results:
- Significant increase in ENT infections in winter 2022, including peritonsillar abscesses, acute tonsillitis, and acute mastoiditis.
- Absence of the typical summer decline in infections post-pandemic.
- Shorter hospital stays in 2022; no significant change in median patient age.
- Mononucleosis incidence did not show a significant post-pandemic spike.
Conclusions:
- A notable rise in post-pandemic ENT infections occurred.
- The termination of non-pharmaceutical interventions may explain the lack of seasonal infection dips.
- Mononucleosis serves as an exception to the observed epidemiological shifts.
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