Highlights
The COVID‑19 pandemic has affected the provision and use of health services, social contacts, hygiene habits, etc. This study evaluates the repercussions of the pandemic on certain indicators of health status, namely the incidence rate (new cases) and the annual prevalence (cases observed in a year) of chronic diseases in Quebec.
During the first year of the pandemic (2020-2021):
- The incidence rate of several chronic diseases is lower than their expected rate. A significant gap is observed for the following diseases: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, heart failure, cerebrovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and other major neurocognitive disorders, high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis and ischemic heart disease. Deviations from expected rates range from -3% (ischemic heart disease) to -34% (COPD).
- In contrast, the annual prevalence of anxiety-depressive disorders is 10% higher than the expected annual prevalence.
During the second year of the pandemic (2021-2022):
- COPD, asthma, cerebrovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other major neurocognitive disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis still have lower than expected incidence rates. Deviations from expected rates vary from -3% (Alzheimer’s disease and other major neurocognitive disorders) to -16% (COPD).
- The incidence rate of high blood pressure and diabetes is higher than their expected value (respective differences of 9% and 28%). The annual prevalence of mental disorders and anxiety-depressive disorders is also higher than their expected value (respective differences of 18% and 25%).
In conclusion, this study suggests an increase in the annual prevalence of mental and anxiety-depressive disorders, which could reflect a real deterioration in the mental health of the Quebec population during the pandemic. A decrease in the incidence rate of several other chronic diseases was also observed. Changes in the supply and use of health services undoubtedly help explain a significant part of the reductions for these diseases. However, for COPD and asthma, part of the decreases could also be attributable to public health measures put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Canada
