Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients Affected by Non-Communicable Diseases in Europe and in the USA
Open Access
- 22 June 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
- Vol. 18 (13), 6697
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136697
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.Funding Information
- Medical Developed Markets & JANZ Viatris (NA)
This publication has 37 references indexed in Scilit:
- Integrated care for the management of ageing-related non-communicable diseases: current gaps and future directionsAging Clinical and Experimental Research, 2020
- Telehealth for global emergencies: Implications for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 2020
- The macroeconomic burden of noncommunicable diseases in the United States: Estimates and projectionsPLOS ONE, 2018
- Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1·9 million participantsThe Lancet. Global Health, 2018
- Economic impact of medication non-adherence by disease groups: a systematic reviewBMJ Open, 2018
- Demographic trends and public health in EuropeEuropean Journal of Public Health, 2017
- Measures of Social IsolationSocial Indicators Research, 2016
- Systems medicine and integrated care to combat chronic noncommunicable diseasesGenome Medicine, 2011
- The clinical utility of testicular cancer risk lociGenome Medicine, 2011
- Primary Care Visit Duration and QualityArchives of Internal Medicine, 2009