Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Emergency Declarations on Surgeries for Deep Neck Infection Incidence in Japan

Kensuke Uraguchi; Naomi Matsumoto; Shohei Fujimoto; Takashi Yorifuji; Mizuo Ando

doi:10.1016/j.jiac.2024.102601

Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Emergency Declarations on Surgeries for Deep Neck Infection Incidence in Japan

J Infect Chemother. 2024 Dec 26:102601. doi: 10.1016/j.jiac.2024.102601. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Kensuke Uraguchi¹, Naomi Matsumoto², Shohei Fujimoto³, Takashi Yorifuji², Mizuo Ando³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan.
³ Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.

PMID: 39732193
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2024.102601

Abstract

Introduction: Deep neck infections are lethal diseases; however, factors related to their prevention remain unclear. The national emergency declaration in April 2020, in response to COVID-19, spurred widespread adoption of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as hand washing, mask wearing, and social distancing.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study examines the impact of these interventions on the incidence of deep neck infections in Japan through interrupted time series analysis using National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan Open Data. Aggregated yearly and monthly data from fiscal year 2014 to 2021 were analyzed. This study aimed to examine the time series changes in Japan, including the impact of COVID-19, by focusing on retropharyngeal, peritonsillar, and deep neck abscess surgeries.

Results: A significant seasonal variation was observed in peritonsillar abscesses, with a peak in July. We assessed changes in surgery for deep neck infections before and after the emergency declaration. Interrupted time series analysis revealed changes in surgery for retropharyngeal abscess (level change, 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40-0.86; slope change, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.94-1.02), peritonsillar abscess (level change, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75-0.94; slope change, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.99-1.01), and deep neck abscess (level change, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.77-1.08; slope change, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.97-1.01).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that the NPIs implemented due to the emergency declaration are effective in reducing the need for surgical intervention in retropharyngeal and peritonsillar abscess cases, highlighting the potential for these measures to prevent serious infections.

Keywords: COVID-19 emergency declarations; Deep neck infections; Interrupted time series analysis; National Claims Data; Nonpharmaceutical interventions.

Copyright © 2024 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy, Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases, and Japanese Society for Infection Prevention and Control. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.