The Impact of COVID-19 on the Management of Heart Failure -A United Kingdom Patient Questionnaire Study
Abstract
Aim
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created significant challenges to healthcare globally, necessitating rapid restructuring of service provision. This questionnaire survey was conducted amongst adult heart failure (HF) patients in the United Kingdom (UK), to understand the impact of COVID-19 upon HF services.
Methods and Results
The survey was conducted by the Pumping Marvellous Foundation (PMF), a UK HF patient charity. “Survey Monkey” was used to disseminate the questionnaire in the PMF’s online patient group and in 10 UK hospitals (out-patient hospital and community HF clinics). 1050 responses were collected (693/1050-66% women); 55% (579/1050) were aged over 60 years. Anxiety level was significantly higher regarding COVID19 (mean 7±2.5 on anxiety scale of 0 to 10) compared to anxiety regarding HF (6.1±2.4; p<0.001). Anxiety was higher amongst patients aged ≤60 years about HF (6.3±2.2 versus 5.9±2.5 in those aged >60 years; p=0.005) and COVID-19 (7.3±2.3 versus 6.7±2.6 those aged >60 years; p<0.001). 65% respondents (686/1050) reported disruption to HF appointments (cancellation or postponement) during the lockdown period. 37% reported disruption to medication prescription services and 34% reported inability to access their HF teams promptly. 32% expressed reluctance to attend hospital (25% stated they would only attend hospital if there was no alternative and 7% stated that they would not attend hospital at all).
Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant anxiety amongst HF patients regarding COVID-19 and HF. Cancellation or postponement of scheduled clinic appointments, investigations, procedures, prescription and monitoring services were implicated as sources of anxiety.
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