COVID-19 pandemic did not remove all the other health problems that people have. Patients are still going through surgeries and other medical procedures, but often they are isolating beforehand to avoid this viral infection. A surprising new study from the University of Birmingham has found that patients isolating before surgery are actually at a 20% increased risk of developing postoperative lung complications.
Self-isolation before the surgery is important, but it needs to be done right. Image credit: Doctorqmd via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)
COVID-19 is a viral respiratory infection. Obviously, it affects the lungs the most, and being old or having chronic diseases is a significant risk factor. People who are about to have surgery want to avoid infections as their immune system is likely to be compromised. This is especially important in times like this when COVID-19 is pandemic. However, while the recommendation to isolate seems to make a lot of sense, there was no data to confirm that it improves the outcome of the surgeries.
Scientists analyzed data of 96,454 patients from over 1,600 hospitals across 114 countries. 28 % of them isolated themselves before surgery. 2 % experienced postoperative pulmonary complications, 11.7 % of which were associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Scientists found that rates of postoperative pulmonary complications were similar in patients who isolated and those that did not, which already puts a question mark next to recommendation to isolate. However, even more surprisingly pre-operative isolation was associated with a 20% increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications after adjustment for age, comorbidities, and type of surgery performed. And the longer patients isolated, the worse risks they experienced. Isolation of 4-7 days was associated with 25% increased risk of postoperative lung complications, while isolation of 8 days or more was linked to 31% increased risk.
Why does isolation increase the risk? Well, scientists think that people eat worse when they are isolated and move less. Also, reduced social contact increases symptoms of depression and anxiety. This means that patients go into surgery with worse mental and physical state than would be ideal. However, scientists do not advise to abandon isolation recommendation, because it protects the hospital staff as well. It just needs to be done right.
Authors of the study said: “Healthcare providers may wish to take these findings into consideration when reviewing local and national guidance. Relaxation of pre-operative isolation policies appears to be safe for individual patients, especially in the presence of pre-operative testing, which this and previous studies showed to be beneficial. Selected isolation practices may remain in place in certain conditions”.
People should isolate themselves to avoid spreading COVID-19, but they should remain optimistic, take care of their physical and mental condition.
Source: University of Birmingham
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