Abstract
Background: The risk for a severe disease course in case of infection with SARS-CoV-2 in young adults with congenital heart disease is largely unknown, potentially leading to uncertainty and anxiety among affected patients. This study aims to investigate health-related concerns, health-related quality of life and psychological adjustment in patients with congenital heart disease compared to healthy peers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: One-hundred patients with congenital heart disease and 50 controls (M = 29.7, SD = 3.8 years) were recruited. They completed an online survey including the assessment of health-related concerns regarding COVID-19, the 12-item Short Form Health Survey and the Brief Symptom Inventory. Results: Patients considered COVID-19 to be a more serious issue (Generalized odds ratio [GenOR] = 1.67, p = 0.04), were more concerned about becoming infected (GenOR = 2.93, p < 0.001) and expressed more fear about leaving their homes (GenOR = 1.81, p = 0.004) while general anxiety symptoms were not different between groups (p = 0.23). Patients relied more on family and friends for support (30% vs. 2% in controls, p < 0.001) and reported better compliance with protective measures (p = 0.03). Mental health-related quality of life and psychological adjustment were not different between groups (p = 0.17 and p = 0.68, respectively). Physical health-related quality of life was lower in patients compared to controls (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Young adults with congenital heart disease in Switzerland are more concerned about their health during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to healthy peers. These concerns, however, do not translate into generally impaired mental wellbeing. The impact of the easing of lockdown measures on long-term anxiety levels and quality of life requires further study
Highlights
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread around the globe and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11th 2020 [1]
This study aims to investigate health-related concerns, health-related quality of life and psychological adjustment in patients with congenital heart disease compared to healthy peers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Young adults with congenital heart disease in Switzerland are more concerned about their health during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to healthy peers
Summary
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread around the globe and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11th 2020 [1]. Due to the lack of data, it remains, largely unknown to what extent young adults with congenital heart disease are at increased risk for a severe disease course in case of infection with SARS-CoV-2 [9,10,11]. This uncertainty may lead to higher levels of concerns among these patients. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health-related concerns, health-related quality of life and psychological adjustment in young adults with congenital heart disease compared to healthy peers. The impact of the easing of lockdown measures on long-term anxiety levels and quality of life requires further study
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