PloS one
Pneumonia incidence, hospitalizations and mortality before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru: An observational study
By Ramírez-Soto MC, Arroyo-Hernandez H, Machuca JVB and 2 others.
Abstract
Background
Pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children and older adults. COVID-19 related disruptions in healthcare and surveillance may have altered incidence, hospitalizations, and deaths. We assessed pneumonia incidence, hospitalizations, and mortality rates in children under five and adults older than 60 years in Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-22) versus the pre-pandemic period (2015-19).
Methods
We conducted a retrospective population-based time series study using nationwide surveillance system data on reported pneumonia cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in Peru from 2015 to 2022. Age- and region-specific incidence rates (IRs) and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals were estimated for pneumonia cases, hospitalizations, and deaths by comparing the pandemic period (2020-22) with the pooled pre-pandemic period (2015-19).