Changing Pattern of Admissions for Acute Myocardial Infarction in India During the COVID-19 Pandemic (preprint)

Background: Admissions for acute myocardial infarction (MI) have declined significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes in the presentation, management, and outcomes of MI during the pandemic period are not well recognized, and data from low- and middle-income countries are limited.Methods: In this two-timepoint cross-sectional study involving 187 hospitals across India, patients admitted with MI between 15th March to 15th June in 2020 were compared with those admitted during the corresponding period of 2019. We sought to determine the changes in the number of admissions, management practices, and outcomes.Findings: We included 41,832 consecutive adults with MI. Admissions during the pandemic period (n = 16414) decreased by 35·4% as compared to the corresponding period in 2019 (n = 25418). We observed significant heterogeneity in this decline across India with the North zone reporting greater decline (-44·8%) than the South zone (-27·7%). The weekly average decrease in MI admissions in 2020 which peaked around the mid- study period, correlated negatively with the number of COVID cases (r = -0·48; r 2 = 0·2), but strongly correlated with the stringency of lockdown index (r = 0·95; r 2 = 0·90). On a multi-level logistic regression, admissions were lower in 2020 with older age categories, tier 1 cities, and centers with high patient volume, and teaching programs. Adjusted utilization rate of coronary angiography, and percutaneous coronary intervention decreased by 11·3%, and 5·9% respectively. However, the in-hospital mortality rates did not differ.Interpretation: The magnitude of reduction in MI admissions across India was not uniform. The nature, time course, and the patient demographics were different compared to reports from other countries, suggesting a significant impact due to the lockdown. These findings have important implications in managing MI admissions during the pandemic.Funding Statement: The study is funded by cardiological society of India.Declaration of Interests: Nothing to declare for all the authors.Ethics Approval Statement: Individual participating centres either obtained an ethical approval from respective Institutional ethics committees or a no objection certificate from the administration.

Health, Psychosocial, and Economic Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic on People with Chronic Conditions in India: A Mixed Methods Study (preprint)

Background: People with chronic conditions are disproportionately prone to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic but there are limited data documenting this. We aimed to assess the health, psychosocial and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with chronic conditions in India.Methods: Between July 29, to September 12, 2020, we telephonically surveyed adults (n=2335) with chronic conditions across four sites in India. Data on participants’ demographic, socio-economic status, comorbidities, access to health care, treatment satisfaction, self-care behaviors, employment, and income were collected using pre-tested questionnaires. We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis to examine the correlates of difficulty in accessing medicines and worsening of diabetes or hypertension symptoms. Further, a diverse sample of 40 participants completed qualitative interviews that focused on eliciting patient’s experiences during the COVID-19 lockdowns and data analysed using thematic analysis.Findings: 1,734 individuals completed the survey (response rate=74%). The mean (SD) age of respondents was 57·8 years (11·3) and 50% were men. During the COVID-19 lockdowns in India, 83% of participants reported difficulty in accessing healthcare, 17% faced difficulties in accessing medicines, 59% reported loss of income, 38% lost jobs, and 28% reduced fruit and vegetable consumption. In the final-adjusted regression model, rural residence (OR, 95%CI: 4·01,2·90-5·53), having diabetes (2·42, 1·81-3·25) and hypertension (1·70,1·27-2·27), and loss of income (2·30,1·62-3·26) were significantly associated with difficulty in accessing medicines. Further, difficulties in accessing medicines (3·67,2·52-5·35), and job loss (1·90,1·25-2·89) were associated with worsening of diabetes or hypertension symptoms. Qualitative data suggest most participants experienced psychosocial distress due to loss of job or income and had difficulties in accessing in-patient services.Interpretation: People with chronic conditions, particularly among poor, rural, and marginalized populations, have experienced difficulties in accessing healthcare and been severely affected both socially and financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.Funding: None.Declaration of Interests: No conflict of interest to declare.Ethics Approval Statement: This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committees of the Centre for Chronic Disease Control, New Delhi, India, and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, Chennai, India. All participants provided verbal consent to this study over the phone.