Lifestyle behavior of patients with noncommunicable diseases during COVID-19 pandemic: An observational study

Abstract

CONTEXT: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) poses an unprecedented challenge and adversely affects the lifestyle of people with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) due to enforced restrictions by the governments. AIMS: The study aimed to assess the physical activity and prophylactic behavior, along with change in sleep, alcohol intake, and tobacco consumption during the enforced lockdown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in August 2020 and recruited NCD patients visiting the institute's outpatient department. Questions were formed on prophylactic behavior, changes in sleep, and alcohol and tobacco consumption along with a validated scale of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) Short Form. RESULTS: The study recruited 413 patients with a mean age of 54.34 years. The median IPAQ score was 536 metabolic equivalent task-minutes/week, with 41.96% of the patients demonstrating low physical activity. A statistically significant difference between the IPAQ scores was found among different NCD groups (P = 0.009). There was a statistically significant decrease in number of hours of sleep during the pandemic as compared to before the pandemic (P = 0.000). Furthermore, there was a significant change in tobacco consumption (P = 0.000) and alcohol consumption (P = 0.000) during the pandemic. The patients followed preventive practices to a larger extent. CONCLUSION: The study highlighted that the NCD patients should follow an optimal physical activity schedule, take proper sleep, and continue following prophylactic behavior.