January 2024

GERIATRICS

GREATER COVID-19 RELATED STRESSES AMONG ADULTS WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS

Featuring: Rachel M O’Conor
Greater COVID-19 related stress associated with less physical activity, lower self-efficacy, and delays in seeking medical care among adults with chronic conditions

The study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being, lifestyle behaviors, self-management capacity, and healthcare utilization of adults with chronic conditions. The study collected data from two telephone surveys conducted between March 27 - May 22, 2020, with 553 participants (age range 23-88) who were patients at Chicago-area clinics.

The study found that one in five participants experienced stress due to the coronavirus most or all the time, and rates of negative well-being were high (WHO-5 Index mean = 58.7%). Almost a quarter of participants engaged in hazardous drinking, and 79.7% reported insufficient physical activity. Nearly one in four participants avoided seeking medical care due to worry about COVID-19. In multivariable analyses, greater COVID-19 related stress was associated with less physical activity, lower self-efficacy, greater difficulty managing health and medications, and delays in seeking medical care due to the coronavirus. These findings suggest that health systems should implement proactive measures for detecting and treating emotional and behavioral COVID-related concerns.
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To ready the full article, visit PEC Innovation.
Rachel O'Conor PhD, MPH, is an associate professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics).

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