Epidemiological characteristics of community-acquired pneumonia and effects from the COVID-19 pandemic in Shenzhen of China

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to observe the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the incidence of non-COVID-19 community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Shenzhen of China, offering new ideas for evaluating the effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted of inpatients with pneumonia from 2017 to 2021. Epidemiological characteristics of CAP and effects from the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed by the basic characteristics, time distribution, etiology and disease burden. Results There were a total of 5746 CAP inpatient cases included from 2017 to 2021. The number of CAP hospitalizations decreased during the pandemic from 2020 to 2021, with seasonal variations of being higher in spring and winter and lower in summer and autumn, whereas it was prevalent throughout the year prior to the pandemic. The children group decreased significantly during the pandemic, with a 15% decrease in the share of CAP inpatients. The detection rates of bacteria and mycoplasma decreased in CAP patients, while the detection rate of the virus increased, and the number of moderate and severe cases reduced more than that of the mild. Conclusion Non-pharmaceutical interventions from COVID-19 have led to a decrease in the number of CAP inpatients, especially for children, with a specific seasonal prevalence in spring and winter, when the prevention interventions should be strengthened further for adults during the pandemic.