The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the general health status of people with chronic health conditions in Belgium: a cross-sectional survey study

Abstract

Background: Patients with chronic health conditions risk aggravation of their health status due to reduced access to health services during the COVID-19 related lockdown.Objectives: To investigate the impact of Belgian COVID-19 measures on general health status (i.e. worse or stable/better) of patients, adult and pediatric, with chronic health conditions and how this change in health status relates to personal and health behavior-related factors.Design: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted during the first COVID-19 related lockdown in Belgium.Methods: Associations between change in health status since the lockdown and (change in) personal and health behavior-related factors (including physical activity, access to healthcare services and social activities) were investigated.Results: In adults (n=561), almost all personal factors, including feelings of distress, depression, anxiety, somatization and low self-efficacy were significantly worse in patients with a worse health status during the lockdown (n=293, 52%) compared to patients reporting a stable/better health status (p<0.001 -0.002). Also, these patients reported lower physical activity levels, more teleconsultations and less social activities (p<0.001 -0.006). In children (n=55), all surveys were completed by a proxy (parent(s)/guardian) who reported a worse health status in 38% of the children. Level of distress of the child (p=0.005) since the lockdown and somatization of the parent(s) (p=0.0018) was significantly worse in children with a worse versus a stable/better health status.Conclusion: Fifty-two percent of the adults and 38% of children with chronic health conditions reported worsening of their general health status during the lockdown in March-May 2020 in Belgium. Negative personal factors and unhelpful health behavior seems to be associated with a worse health status.

Anxiety, Distress and Stress among Patients with Diabetes during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…More than half of the population with chronic pathology wished to have received additional information about the risks associated with their medical condition during the pandemic [15]. Several authors indicate that the provision of diabetes care was significantly disrupted during the pandemic [73], as corroborated by studies conducted in chronic patients where 52% of adults and 38% of children worsened their health condition during confinement [74].…”

Prevalence of Depression and Related Factors among Patients with Chronic Disease during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Up to a third of these patients failed to adhere completely to their pharmacological treatment program [ 2 ], and many increased their consumption of sugary foods and snacks and were physically inactive, especially during the lockdown period [ 95 ]. These circumstances provoked worsening of the general state of health in 52% of adults and 38% of children with chronic disease [ 96 , 97 ].…”

Consumption expenditures of Moldovan citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic period: gender analysis

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