Assessment of the clinical status and behavioral risk factors in patients with cardiovascular and other noncommunicable diseases in Russia and neighboring countries during quarantine and self-isolation

Abstract

Aim. To carry out a comparative assessment of the clinical status and behavioral risk factors in patients with cardiovascular (CVD) and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Russia and neighboring countries during quarantine and selfisolation in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Material and methods. The study involved patients from Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Kyrgyzstan. A total of 351 men and women aged 30- 69 years with one or more NCDs were included, including hypertension (HTN), coronary artery disease with or without myocardial infarction, type 2 diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/ asthma, and cancer that were in quarantine self-isolation. To assess the clinical status and risk factors, patients underwent a questionnaire and examination. The changes in health status was assessed using the EQ-5D questionnaire.Results. During self-isolation and quarantine, 40% of patients noted a decrease and limitation of physical activity. An increase in food frequency and amount was registered in 35% of individuals. During quarantine, every third patient with HTN had hypertensive crises, and every fifth increased the doses of the drugs taken. In the examined cohort, exertional angina (30%) took second place among NCDs. In the group of Azerbaijan patients, every second had exertional angina, while in the Russian cohort — 33%, and in the Lithuanian group — every fourth patient. In general, health status deterioration among people with angina was noted in 6% of cases. In the examined group, type 2 diabetes was detected in 25% of cases. During quarantine, changes in hypoglycemic therapy were carried out in an average of 34% of patients. COVID-19 was registered in 22% of patients in the examined cohort. The largest number was found in the group from Kazakhstan — 57%, while the second place was taken by the Azerbaijan group — 40%. General condition deterioration was detected in 55% of cases in groups from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. In Russia, this was reported by 28,8% of patients, while in the group from Lithuania, every fourth patient noted a worsening of the health status. The lowest deterioration was registered in the Kyrgyzstan group (14%).Conclusion. During quarantine and self-isolation among patients with NCDs, a decrease in physical activity, an increase in food consumption and smoking was noted. There was health status deterioration in patients with various NCDs, primarily with CVDs, which required therapy changes. Taken together, this was reflected in general condition worsening in patients with chronic NCDs. It is obvious that the development of comprehensive preventive measures in conditions of selfisolation and quarantine is required.

Keywords

• coronavirus infection
• quarantine
• risk factors
• noncommunicable diseases