Open Access

ARTICLE

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health-Related Concerns, Quality of Life and Psychological Adjustment in Young Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

by Flavia M. Wehrle^1,2,3, Markus A. Landolt^3,4,5, Beatrice Latal^1,3, Sarah Rometsch⁶, Matthias Greutmann^7,*

1 Child Development Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
2 Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
3 Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
4 Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
5 Division of Child and Adolescent Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
6 Clienia Schlössli, Oetwil am See, Switzerland
7 Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

* Corresponding Author: Matthias Greutmann. Email:

Congenital Heart Disease 2020, 15(5), 301-308. https://doi.org/10.32604/CHD.2020.013078

Received 25 July 2020; Accepted 25 August 2020; Issue published 23 September 2020

Abstract

Background: The risk for a severe disease course in case of infection with SARS-CoV-2 in young adults with congenital heart disease is largely unknown, potentially leading to uncertainty and anxiety among affected patients. This study aims to investigate health-related concerns, health-related quality of life and psychological adjustment in patients with congenital heart disease compared to healthy peers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: One-hundred patients with congenital heart disease and 50 controls (M = 29.7, SD = 3.8 years) were recruited. They completed an online survey including the assessment of health-related concerns regarding COVID-19, the 12-item Short Form Health Survey and the Brief Symptom Inventory. Results: Patients considered COVID-19 to be a more serious issue (Generalized odds ratio [GenOR] = 1.67, p = 0.04), were more concerned about becoming infected (GenOR = 2.93, p < 0.001) and expressed more fear about leaving their homes (GenOR = 1.81, p = 0.004) while general anxiety symptoms were not different between groups (p = 0.23). Patients relied more on family and friends for support (30% vs. 2% in controls, p < 0.001) and reported better compliance with protective measures (p = 0.03). Mental health-related quality of life and psychological adjustment were not different between groups (p = 0.17 and p = 0.68, respectively). Physical health-related quality of life was lower in patients compared to controls (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Young adults with congenital heart disease in Switzerland are more concerned about their health during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to healthy peers. These concerns, however, do not translate into generally impaired mental wellbeing. The impact of the easing of lockdown measures on long-term anxiety levels and quality of life requires further study

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