Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Emergency Respiratory Cases in Urban Areas during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Analysis from Lübeck

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges to healthcare systems, particularly affecting patients with respiratory insufficiencies. In urban areas like Lübeck, socioeconomic factors have been shown to influence the frequency and outcomes of emergency medical services (EMS). This study aims to evaluate the impact of these factors on patient outcomes and EMS demand during the pandemic.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 17,609 emergency respiratory cases (6,688 COPD and 10,921 cardiac decompensation cases) from 2018 to 2023. We assessed the influence of socioeconomic variables on patient outcomes, including hospital stay duration and mortality. Data were stratified by the geographical distribution of patients, aligning with local demographics. Statistical analyses focused on differences in outcomes between the pandemic and non-pandemic periods.

Results: Significant associations were found between socioeconomic factors and patient outcomes. Patients with a migration background, unemployment, or receiving public assistance had longer hospital stays (p<0.05), with this effect more pronounced during the pandemic. For instance, average hospital stays for COPD patients increased from 8.24 days pre-pandemic to 8.79 days during the pandemic (p<0.05), while stays for cardiac decompensation patients increased from 10.51 days to 11.27 days (p<0.01).

Conclusions: The findings highlight the critical role of socioeconomic factors in shaping the outcomes of respiratory emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health interventions should address these disparities to improve care for vulnerable populations in urban settings, particularly in the context of future pandemics or health crises.

Publication History

Article published online:
18 March 2025