Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients Affected by Non-Communicable Diseases in Europe and in the USA

Catherine Pécout,Anne-Félice Lainé-Pellet,Joris Van Vugt,Emilie Pain,Claire Champeix,Rita Prieto,Claudie Kulak,Michael Chekroun,Kim Gilchrist

doi:10.3390/ijerph18136697

Catherine Pécout, Anne-Félice Lainé-Pellet + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136697

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Abstract

An international online patient community, Carenity, conducted a patient study in two independent waves among adults affected by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Europe and in the United States of America (USA). The study aimed to assess the real time impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the medical conditions of patients with NCDs, their access to health care, and their adaptation to daily life as well as to describe their sources of information on COVID-19 and their needs for specific information and support. During the pandemic, 50% of the patients reported a worsening of their medical condition, and 17% developed a new disease. Additionally, 26% of the respondents reported an impact of the pandemic on regular/long-term treatment intake. 54% of the patients felt very or completely socially isolated and reported a strong impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their stress level and state of mind, with higher levels observed in the USA compared to Europe. 59% of the respondents wished to have received additional information regarding the risks associated to their medical condition during the pandemic. Television was the most used source of information, whereas physicians were the most trusted one. This study describes the substantial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on NCD patients.

Highlights

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), known as chronic diseases, result from genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors
Healthcare services disruptions coupled with newly adopted negative behaviors put patients living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at high risk for the worsening of their chronic condition or developing multimorbidities
The burden of NCDs, which increased during the pandemic, has recurrent health and economic consequences for the patients’

Summary

Introduction

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), known as chronic diseases, result from genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors These long-term and sometimes life-long pathologies include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes as well as mental health and neurological disorders [1]. Since 2015, NCDs have surpassed infectious diseases as the leading cause of morbidity, disability, and death worldwide [2,3]; in 2019, they were accountable for 71% of all-caused deaths, the major global cause being cardiovascular diseases (17.9 million deaths), followed by cancer (9.0 million), respiratory diseases (3.8 million), and diabetes (1.6 million) [3] Many of these premature deaths occurred before the age of 70, with most of them being preventable and treatable. Mental health pathologies, like major depressive disorders or anxiety, lead to a sedentary

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