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

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 health-care 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 < .001-0.002). Also, these patients reported lower physical activity levels, more tele-consultations and less social activities (p < .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 = .005) since the lockdown and somatization of the parent(s) (p = .0018) were 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.

Automated summary

The study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown measures on the general health status of patients with chronic health conditions in Belgium. The results show that a significant number of adults and children reported a worsening of their health status during the lockdown. Negative personal factors and unhelpful health behavior were associated with a worse health status.