COVID-19 Pandemic and Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases: An Ecological Study on Data of 185 Countries

Azarpazhooh, MR; Morovatdar, N; Avan, A; Phan, TG; Divani, AA; Yassi, N; Stranges, S; Silver, B; Biller, J; Tokazebani Belasi, M; Kazemi Neya, S; Khorram, B; Frydman, A; Nilanont, Y; Onorati, E; Di Napoli, M

Author(s): Azarpazhooh, MR; Morovatdar, N; Avan, A; Phan, TG; Divani, AA; Yassi, N; Stranges, S; Silver, B; Biller, J; Tokazebani Belasi, M; Kazemi Neya, S; Khorram, B; Frydman, A; Nilanont, Y; Onorati, E; Di Napoli, M;
Details: Publication Year 2020-09,Volume 29,Issue #9,Page 105089
Journal Title: Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Publication Type: Journal Article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The interaction between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and non-communicable diseases may increase the global burden of disease. We assessed the association of COVID-19 with ageing and non-communicable diseases. METHODS: We extracted data regarding non-communicable disease, particularly cardiovascular disease, deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and healthy life expectancy (HALE) from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2017. We obtained data of confirmed COVID-19 cases, deaths, and tests from the Our World in Data database as of May 28, 2020. Potential confounders of pandemic outcomes analyzed include institutional lockdown delay, hemispheric geographical location, and number of tourists. We compared all countries according to GBD classification and World Bank income level. We assessed the correlation between independent variables associated with COVID-19 caseload and mortality using Spearman's rank correlation and adjusted mixed model analysis. FINDINGS: High-income had the highest, and the Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania region had the least cases per million population (3050.60 vs. 63.86). Sub-saharan region has reported the lowest number of COVID-19 mortality (1.9). Median delay to lockdown initiation varied from one day following the first case in Latin America and Caribbean region, to 34 days in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania. Globally, non-communicable disease DALYs were correlated with COVID-19 cases (r=0.32, p<0.001) and deaths (r=0.37, p<0.001). HALE correlated with COVID-19 cases (r=0.63, p<0.001) and deaths (r=0.61, p<0.001). HALE was independently associated with COVID-19 case rate and the number of tourists was associated with COVID-19 mortality in the adjusted model. INTERPRETATION: Preventive measures against COVID-19 should protect the public from the dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, particularly in the elderly. In addition to active COVID-19 surveillance, policymakers should utilize this evidence as a guide for prevention and coordination of health services. This model is timely, as many countries have begun to reduce social isolation.
Publisher: Elsevier
Research Division(s): Population Health And Immunity
PubMed ID: 32807484
Link To PubMed Central Version: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc7315949/
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105089
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2020-09-07 02:56:49

Last Modified: 2020-09-07 03:07:15