Impact of lockdown in patients with congestive heart failure during the Covid-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: Congestive heart failure (CHF) alters the course of COVID-19 (C19); pandemic and lockdown can destabilize CHF. PURPOSE: To evaluate impact of lockdown in CHF patients. METHODS: 150 out patients from the HF Clinic of our hospital were invited to answer t o a phone-call interview during the 7th week of first C19 lockdown. RESULTS: 124 questionnaires were fit for analysis. Almost all patients declared to respect the nationwide lockdown policies. More than one fifth felt worse than before the lockdown and almost one fourth declared a significant psychologic distress (Kessler-6 score≥ 5). Approximately 10% declared modifications of their CHF medications, always on medical prescription. No patients declared a medication supply failure. Decrease in physical activity was common, almost twice as much in urban than in rural population (50.0 vs 26.2%, P = 0.009). Almost half declared increased screen time and 4 of the 9 smokers increased tobacco consumption. Adherence to dietary counselling was reduced by 17.7% of patients. Increase in weight and HF symptoms were commonly reported. During lockdown time frame, 23 patients who benefitted from a teleconsultation, of whom 16 switched from a planned physical examination they cancelled (Fig. 1). CONCLUSIONS: Our patients with CHF exhibited weel-being impairment and unhealthy behaviours, thus suggesting increased risk of future events. Medication adherence was not diminished and the reduction in care access was counterbalanced by a switch toward telehealth. This work was supported by a grant from Dijon Football Côte d’Or and CHU Dijon Bourgogne.