The effect of the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic on urology practice and anxiety scores of patients awaiting surgery

Abstract

Objective We aimed to determine the effect COVID-19 pandemic on the daily urology practice of the level 3 centre located in one of the most affected regions in Turkey. We also aimed to assess anxiety and depression levels of patients whose procedures and surgeries had to be postponed due to COVID-19-related restrictions. Methods The number of patients admitted to the outpatient clinic, outpatient procedures, emergency consultation requests, hospitalised patients and the total number of surgeries between March 10, 2020 and June 15, 2020 were evaluated. These numbers were compared with the same period of 2019. Subsequently, patients who could not be operated or whose elective surgeries were postponed between March 10, 2020 and June 15, 2020 were determined(n:96). These patients were asked to fill out Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI). The presence of difference between the baseline anxiety levels and the anxiety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic was investigated. Afterwards, these patients were divided into two groups based on planned procedures as oncological group (group1) and non-oncological group (group2). The presence of a difference between the anxiety and depression levels between the groups was investigated. Results There was a drastic decline in number of patients in all assessed parameters. The least amount of change was seen in the number of emergency consultations. The evaluation of anxiety and depression scores of the patients showed a significant difference between their STAI-S and STAI-T scores (51.8 +/- 9.3, 38.2 +/- 7.5, respectively)(P < .001). STAI-S scores of the patients were found to be compatible with severe anxiety. The patients' mean BDI score was found to be 15 +/- 8.9, which indicated mild depression. However, the age and STAI-S values were significantly higher in group1. Conclusion We noted that anxiety and depression levels increased in patients whose operations were delayed because of pandemic-related restrictions, especially in oncological patients. We believe that an important contribution can be made to the protection of public health by planning advance psychosocial interventions for high-risk groups during pandemics.