Impact of Movement Control Order on Complicated Appendicitis Rates
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Effect of the Movement Control Order on the Incidence of Complicated Appendicitis During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
This page presents a generated summary with additional references; See source (below) for actual content.
Original source:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.
Hamzah Sukiman, Abdul Malek Mohamad, Muhammad Firdaus Nasution Raduan, Mohd Nur Afiq Mohd Yasim, Muhammad Ikhwan Mat Lazim
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: Effect of the Movement Control Order on the Incidence of Complicated Appendicitis During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
Year: 2021 | Doi: 10.21315/mjms2021.28.5.13
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Acute appendicitis is recognized as the most prevalent surgical emergency in general surgical practice. Typically, it can present as a simple inflammation of the appendix or can escalate to a state of perforation, leading to potential complications and increased morbidity. The COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a nationwide lockdown in Malaysia known as the Movement Control Order (MCO), raised concerns about its impact on health-seeking behavior, particularly among patients experiencing abdominal emergencies such as appendicitis. This study aimed to explore whether the MCO affected the incidence and severity of appendicitis presentations during this critical period.
Impact of the Movement Control Order on Appendicitis
The study encountered 193 patients diagnosed with appendicitis, comparing presentations before and during the MCO. It was found that the incidence of complicated appendicitis significantly increased during the MCO, with 44% of cases classified as complicated compared to 23% in the pre-MCO group (P = 0.002). Additionally, patients seen during the MCO exhibited longer durations of symptoms, with an average of 2.6 days before seeking treatment, compared to 2.0 days in the pre-MCO group. These findings highlighted a critical trend: the pandemic-induced restrictions likely discouraged patients from seeking timely medical care. The resulting delay in treatment contributed to an increase in surgical complications, prolonged hospital stays, and higher overall morbidity in the MCO cohort.
Conclusion
The implementation of the MCO during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a marked increase in complicated presentations of appendicitis, highlighting the negative consequences of restricted movement on timely healthcare access. This complicates recovery and places additional strain on healthcare resources. As a result, it is vital for medical professionals to emphasize the importance of seeking prompt medical attention for common conditions during public health crises to mitigate adverse outcomes associated with delays in treatment. Further research is warranted to quantify the long-term implications of health-seeking behaviors during pandemics on surgical emergencies, including appendicitis.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the primary focus of the study on appendicitis during MCO?
The study investigates the effect of the Movement Control Order (MCO) during the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation and severity of appendicitis, particularly examining if it led to an increase in complicated appendicitis cases.
How many patients were included in the appendicitis study?
A total of 193 patients diagnosed with appendicitis were included in the study, divided into two groups based on their presentation: one group prior to the MCO and the other during the MCO.
What were the results regarding complicated appendicitis during MCO?
The results indicated a higher incidence of complicated appendicitis during the MCO period, with rates of 44% compared to 23% in the pre-MCO group. This suggests delayed medical attention led to more severe cases.
What were the significant outcomes associated with the MCO period?
Patients during the MCO experienced increased length of hospital stay, higher surgical morbidity rates, and more complicated appendicitis cases, indicating that the MCO adversely affected timely treatment and patient outcomes.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Impact of Movement Control Order on Complicated Appendicitis Rates”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Table:
A systematic arrangement of data, typically consisting of rows and columns, used to present quantitative information clearly. In the context of the study, tables are utilized to summarize patient demographics, clinical outcomes, and various statistical analyses, allowing researchers to compare results efficiently across different groups and time periods.
2) Study (Studying):
A methodical investigation designed to uncover facts or principles about a specific topic. The relevance of the study lies in its focus on how the Movement Control Order during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the incidence and severity of appendicitis, thereby contributing valuable insights to medical literature and public health.
3) Disease:
A pathological condition of a biological system that disrupts normal bodily functions. Appendicitis, as a disease, serves as the main focus of this study, highlighting its prevalence and implications during the pandemic, particularly how delays in presentation could lead to more severe cases and complications, increasing morbidity.
4) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
A substance that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms, often utilized in treating infections. In the context of the study, antibiotics play a critical role in managing appendicitis, particularly non-operative treatments, highlighting differences in treatment approaches and outcomes between patients who received varied antibiotic therapies.
5) Composite:
Made up of various components or parts to form a whole. In the study, composite outcomes are used to group different surgical morbidities and organ failures, creating a more comprehensive assessment of the overall surgical impact and patient recovery, thereby providing a clearer understanding of risks associated with complicated appendicitis.
6) Post:
Referring to the period after a specific event or condition. In the study, the term 'post' is used in contexts such as postoperative recovery, which assesses complications following surgical interventions, emphasizing the importance of monitoring patient outcomes and the impact that complications can have on rehabilitation and healthcare resources.
7) Rules:
Established guidelines or principles that govern behavior or procedures. In this study, clinical rules or criteria might refer to how appendicitis cases are categorized, highlighting the systematic approach taken to diagnose and treat the condition, thus ensuring that patients receive appropriate care based on standardized medical practices.
8) Male:
Referring to the gender typically designated as masculine. The study notes a higher prevalence of complicated appendicitis among male patients, which raises important considerations regarding gender-based physiological differences in disease presentation, management strategies, and potentially informs targeted public health messages related to this demographic.
9) Chan:
In this context, potentially referring to one of the authors or contributors to research in the medical field. The mention of Chan underscores the collaborative nature of medical research, where multiple contributors bring various expertise to enhance the quality and validity of findings, as well as the importance of individual contributions.
10) Developing:
The process of growth, progression, or advancement. In the study's context, developing refers to the evolution of appendicitis cases, particularly how late presentations during the MCO led to more serious complications. Understanding developing patterns can inform better preventative measures and healthcare strategies in crisis situations.
11) Incision:
A surgical cut made in the skin or flesh during an operation. The study discusses various surgical approaches, including the type of incision made for appendectomies. Insights into incision techniques can influence recovery outcomes and minimize complications, thus impacting clinical practices and ongoing training for healthcare providers.
12) Inflammation:
A biological response to harmful stimuli, manifesting as redness, swelling, heat, and pain. In appendicitis, inflammation is a key feature indicating the body's defensive reaction. Understanding the inflammatory processes involved can provide insights into treatment protocols and the urgency required in surgical interventions for appendicitis.
13) Perception:
The awareness and interpretation of surrounding stimuli or situations. During the MCO, public perception likely influenced healthcare-seeking behaviors, leading to delays in treatment for appendicitis. Understanding these perceptions can help in crafting public health messages to encourage timely medical consultations during pandemics or similar crises.
14) Discussion:
A critical examination or consideration of findings, interpretations, and implications in research. The discussion section of the study highlights the importance of results, placing them in the context of existing literature and offering insights into the significant findings regarding the impact of the MCO on appendicitis presentations and outcomes.
15) Medicine:
The science and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease. The study contributes to the field of medicine by providing empirical evidence regarding appendicitis during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing challenges in healthcare delivery and emphasizing the need for adaptive medical strategies in response to unprecedented situations.
16) Cina:
The origin country of the novel coronavirus that triggered the global pandemic. Its mention in the study highlights the global impact of the virus, providing context for the Movement Control Order in Malaysia as a response to COVID-19, and eventually influencing health-seeking behaviors and medical presentations like appendicitis.
17) Pose:
To present or constitute a particular problem or situation. The study highlights how the Movement Control Order may pose challenges for timely medical treatment, resulting in increased rates of complicated appendicitis. Recognizing such poses can be critical in reinforcing the need for prompt healthcare access during emergencies.
18) Line:
Can refer to a boundary or limit. In medical contexts, it often describes the delineation of treatment protocols. This study emphasizes the 'line' of action needed from healthcare providers to ensure that appendicitis patients are treated effectively, even when external restrictions may complicate access to care.
19) Pain:
An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. Acute appendicitis typically presents with pain, which often prompts patients to seek medical care. Understanding pain patterns and their management during the pandemic is essential for improving patient outcomes and guiding effective treatment protocols.
Other Health Sciences Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Impact of Movement Control Order on Complicated Appendicitis Rates’. Further sources in the context of Health Sciences might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Appendicitis, Statistical Significance, Cross-sectional study, COVID 19, Systematic Review, COVID-19 Pandemic, PubMed, Google Scholar, Length of stay, Ethical approval, Postoperative complication, Appendicectomy, Hospital stay, Acute appendicitis, Appendectomy, Laparoscopic appendectomy, Risk factor, Respiratory disease, Global Incidence, Logistic regression, Surgical emergency, Surgical access, Disease severity, Alvarado score, Population-based studies, Surgical morbidity, Organ failure, Non-operative management, Movement Control Order, Delayed presentation, CrossRef, BMC Med, Predictive factor.