Changes in Chronic Disease Management Outcomes During Pandemic-Driven Care Interruptions

Vinod Battapothu

Abstract: Purpose: As the Covid-19 pandemic surged through its first wave, healthcare was radically disrupted, mainly due to stay-at-home mandates. This led to a marked reduction in healthcare visits. The aim of the analysis was to assess how these externally imposed care interruptions influenced the chronic disease management framework. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed between March 2020 and Nov 2020, utilizing an established, comprehensive telehealth platform in Singapore. Electronic health records provided the data source and included individuals aged >40 years with diagnosed diabetes (or potential diabetes), hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or chronic kidney disease stage 3. Outcomes consisted of standard management markers for each condition, depicting care quality and effectiveness. These markers were mainly assessed during the pandemic in comparison with the preceding year and additional sub setting addressed various patient characteristics. Conclusions: The analysis showed that pandemic-driven care interruptions were negatively associated with standard markers of care quality and effectiveness for diabetes, hypertension, COPD, and chronic kidney disease stage ? 3. While the impact was generally greater among socially vulnerable populations, some indicators, such as those for persistently poor glycemic control, experienced better-than-expected outcomes.

Keywords: Pandemic Care Disruptions, Chronic Disease Management, Telehealth Platforms, Electronic Health Records, Diabetes Care Quality

How to Cite?: Vinod Battapothu, "Changes in Chronic Disease Management Outcomes During Pandemic-Driven Care Interruptions", Volume 9 Issue 12, December 2020, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1968-1978, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MS2012173630, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MS2012173630