@Article{CHD.2020.013078,
AUTHOR = {Flavia M. Wehrle, Markus A. Landolt, Beatrice Latal, Sarah Rometsch, Matthias Greutmann},
TITLE = {Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health-Related Concerns, Quality of Life and Psychological Adjustment in Young Adults with Congenital Heart Disease},
JOURNAL = {Congenital Heart Disease},
VOLUME = {15},
YEAR = {2020},
NUMBER = {5},
PAGES = {301--308},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/chd/v15n5/40252},
ISSN = {1747-0803},
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},
DOI = {10.32604/CHD.2020.013078}
}