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
Flavia M. Wehrle1,2,3, Markus A. Landolt3,4,5, Beatrice Latal1,3, Sarah Rometsch6, Matthias Greutmann7,*
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
Keywords
Cite This Article
Wehrle, F. M., Landolt, M. A., Latal, B., Rometsch, S., Greutmann, M. (2020). Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health-Related Concerns, Quality of Life and Psychological Adjustment in Young Adults with Congenital Heart Disease.
Congenital Heart Disease, 15(5), 301–308.
Citations