Abstract

MERLO, Oscar et al. Impact on medical care at the Institute of Tropical Medicine during 4 months of the Chikungunya epidemic. Rev. Inst. Med. Trop. [online]. 2023, vol.18, n.1, pp.4-11. ISSN 1996-3696.  https://doi.org/10.18004/imt/2023.18.1.2.

Introduction: Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) is an emerging mosquito-borne disease caused by an alphavirus, chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Although most people fully recover in a few days or weeks, some patients require hospitalization and may even develop serious manifestations and even be fatal. The objective of this research work is to describe the characteristics of the patients treated at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (IMT), within the framework of the current Chikungunya Arbovirosis Epidemic. Materials and Methods: observational, descriptive, cross-sectional with an analytical component, of patients of both sexes, treated at the IMT in the emergency room and in the hospitalization area, with a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of FCHIK. Data were obtained from the hospital computer systems (HIS). Results: During period I (June to October 2022), 19,645 patients were attended (average of 3,929 monthly consultations) and during period II (November 2022 to March 2023) 27,673 patients (average of 5,534.6 monthly consultations); reflecting a 41% increase in inquiries. The number of patients who required intravenous hydration and analgesia increased, with emphasis on the months of January, February, and March (590, 781, and 608 cases, respectively). consequently requiring the increase of hospitalization beds from 5 to 15 and hydration chairs, from 10 to 15 chairs. On the other hand, the number of patients requiring hospitalization increased from 2 patients in November to 54 patients in March. Mortality was significantly higher in those >15 years, compared to those ≤15 years: 12.5% (7/56) vs 2.9% (2/69), respectively (p<0.03. OR=4.8. (IC95 %. 1 - 24.0) Conclusion: The Chikungunya epidemic had a significant impact on medical care at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, with a significant increase in the attendance of febrile patients, translated into a high rate of patients treated in emergency areas. and a small proportion in the hospitalization area. This study underscores the importance of adequate preparation and rapid response in the context of an epidemic to minimize the impact on hospital medical care services.

Keywords : Chikungunya Fever; Inpatient Care Units; Hospitalization; Emergencies; Public Health Surveillance.

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