Impact of COVID-19 on health-related quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare access for cardiovascular patients, potentially worsening their health outcomes and quality of life through both medical and psychological impacts.

Aims: This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the quality of life of patients with cardiovascular disease before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods: The work was conducted from January 9 to April 28, 2023, in Almaty city and the Almaty region. 3026 outpatients with cardiovascular pathology participated in the survey using a standardised European Quality of Life Questionnaire. The study utilized cluster, frequency analysis, and discrete statistics to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on quality of life parameters, revealing significant changes in anxiety and depression among cardiovascular patients, resulting in reduced quality of life (from 0.3% to 5.5% and 0.4; to 7.5% in the categories of extremely severe and severe manifestations, respectively).

Results: An analysis of the nosological structure of cardiovascular diseases in the study group was performed and revealed that coronary heart disease occurred in 51.6% of cases, arterial hypertension in 88%, and diabetes mellitus in 34.6%. The availability of both outpatient and inpatient medical services in Almaty region and Almaty city was also assessed, and their comparative analysis was conducted, during which it was found that the need for these services in the district settlements is 10% and 12% higher, respectively, than in the city, which is particularly important for understanding the effectiveness of the public health system in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, both at the regional and republican levels.

Conclusion: This study is of practical importance for health care workers, as it allows assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life of patients with cardiovascular diseases, which provides an opportunity to develop effective rehabilitation protocols and psychological support for this vulnerable category.