COVID-19 Pandemic and Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases: An Ecological Study on Data of 185 Countries

Abstract

Background: The interaction between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and noncommunicable diseases may increase the global burden of disease. We assessed the association of COVID-19 with ageing and non-communicable diseases. Methods: We extracted data regarding non-communicable disease, particularly cardiovascular disease, deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and healthy life expectancy (HALE) from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2017. We obtained data of confirmed COVID-19 cases, deaths, and tests from the Our World in Data database as of May 28, 2020. Potential confounders of pandemic outcomes analyzed include institutional lockdown delay, hemispheric geographical location, and number of tourists. We compared all countries according to GBD classification and World Bank income level. We assessed the correlation between independent variables associated with COVID-19 caseload and mortality using Spearman's rank correlation and adjusted mixed model analysis. Findings: High-income had the highest, and the Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania region had the least cases per million population (3050.60 vs. 63.86). Sub-saharan region has reported the lowest number of COVID-19 mortality (1.9). Median delay to lockdown initiation varied from one day From the

Central Nervous System Manifestations Associated with COVID-19

“…Widespread testing and contact tracing are crucial steps toward alleviating lockdowns and social distancing; however, they are not sufficient. It is crucial for policymakers to ensure adequate resources are also allocated toward populations at risk, including the elderly with vascular diseases and comorbidities [ 145 ].…”

Correlations between COVID-19 and burden of dementia: An ecological study and review of literature

“…In a recent study, using the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017 database [15], we observed a significant yet weak correlation between all non-communicable diseases, including ischemic stroke and ischemic heart diseases with COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths. Furthermore, life expectancy and healthy life expectancy (HALE) had independent positive associations with COVID-19 caseload and mortality.…”

Assessing COVID-19 through the lens of health systems’ preparedness: time for a change

“…Several factors might have caused healthcare systems in high-income countries to be hit harder, besides the more pronounced aging of their populations, an added risk factor for COVID-19 mortality [ 17 ]. We know by now that the burden of nom-communicable disease, which is higher in high-income countries, is strongly correlated with the severity and mortality of COVID-19 [ 18 , 19 ]. COVID-19 severity and mortality are also strongly associated with older age.…”