%0 Journal Article
%T Changes in the Care Activity in Addiction Centers with Dual Pathology Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
%A Mancheño-Velasco C
%A Dacosta-Sánchez D
%A Blanc-Molina A
%A Narvaez-Camargo M
%A Lozano-Rojas ÓM
%J J Clin Med
%V 11
%N 15
%D Jul 2022 26
%M 35893432
%F 4.964
%R 10.3390/jcm11154341
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Health care provision during the COVID-19 pandemic and confinement has led to significant changes in the activity of addiction centers. These changes in healthcare activity may have had a greater impact on patients with dual pathology. The aim of this study is to compare the treatment indicators of patients with dual pathology in addiction centers during the pre-confinement, confinement, and post-confinement periods.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A retrospective observational study was conducted for the period between 1 February 2019 and 30 June 2021. A total of 2785 patients treated in specialized addiction services were divided into three periods according to their time of admission: pre-confinement, confinement, and post-confinement.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>During the pre-pandemic period, the addiction centers attended to an average of 121.3 (SD = 23.58) patients, decreasing to 53 patients during confinement (SD = 19.47), and 80.69 during the post-confinement period (SD = 15.33). The number of appointments scheduled monthly for each patient decreased during the confinement period, although this number increased after confinement. There was a reduction in the number of toxicological tests carried out both during and after confinement (except for alcohol).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The results show a reduction in the number of patients seen and the care activity delivered to dual diagnosis patients. These results, which were caused by the COVID-preventive measures, may affect the progress and recovery of dual patients. A greater investment is needed to bring the care activity up to the standards of the years prior to confinement.