Assessing Quality of Life during COVID-19 Outbreak among a Vulnerable Population with Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Background: Individuals monitored for pulmonary disease represent a particularly vulnerable population to the Coronavirus. They present, prior to any COVID 19 exposure, a respiratory condition that could be complicated by a contamination with this virus. Thus, any exposure to this virus might have an impact on their health and their quality of life. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate health-related quality of life in this population during the Covid-19 pandemic; to analyze the associations of mental and physical quality of life measures with sociodemographic, physical, and psychological parameters; and to determine whether the Covid-19 pandemic and the related measures were associated with an immediate change in these scores. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study, conducted between May and June 2020. Quality of life assessment was carried out using the HRQoL SF 12 Health-Related Quality of Life Scale, and data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Of the 78 patients included, 41 (52.6%) were male with a predominance of the age range above 60 years (35.9%). The mean of the physical quality of life score PCS-SF12 was 33.16 (±12.64), and the mean of the mental quality of life score MCS-SF12 was 41.64 (±13.14). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in mental quality of life scores according to gender, education level, employment status prior to lockdown, asthma diagnosis, duration of follow-up for lung disease, follow-up for psychiatric pathology, and worsening of symptoms due to Covid-19 pandemic situation. Conclusion: While the quality of life of patients with lung disease is severely impacted by the nature of their illness, the pandemic and containment measures have exacerbated the situation. Psychological support is still needed to improve their mental health and thus their care.