AUTHOR=Mak Ivy Lynn , Wan Eric Yuk Fai , Wong Teenie Kwan Tung , Lee Wendy Woo Jung , Chan Esther Wai Yin , Choi Edmond Pui Hang , Chui Celine Sze Ling , Ip Mary Sau Man , Lau Wallace Chak Sing , Lau Kui Kai , Lee Shing Fung , Wong Ian Chi Kei , Yu Esther Yee Tak , Lam Cindy Lo Kuen 

TITLE=The Spill-Over Impact of the Novel Coronavirus-19 Pandemic on Medical Care and Disease Outcomes in Non-communicable Diseases: A Narrative Review

JOURNAL=Public Health Reviews

VOLUME=43

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/public-health-reviews/articles/10.3389/phrs.2022.1604121

DOI=10.3389/phrs.2022.1604121

ISSN=2107-6952

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objectives:</bold> The coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has claimed more than 5 million lives worldwide by November 2021. Implementation of lockdown measures, reallocation of medical resources, compounded by the reluctance to seek help, makes it exceptionally challenging for people with non-communicable diseases (NCD) to manage their diseases. This review evaluates the spill-over impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with NCDs including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus, chronic respiratory disease, chronic kidney disease, dementia, mental health disorders, and musculoskeletal disorders.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Literature published in English was identified from PubMed and medRxiv from January 1, 2019 to November 30, 2020. A total of 119 articles were selected from 6,546 publications found.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> The reduction of in-person care, screening procedures, delays in diagnosis, treatment, and social distancing policies have unanimously led to undesirable impacts on both physical and psychological health of NCD patients. This is projected to contribute to more excess deaths in the future.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> The spill-over impact of COVID-19 on patients with NCD is just beginning to unravel, extra efforts must be taken for planning the resumption of NCD healthcare services post-pandemic.</p>