Lifestyle of patients with chronic diseases in the communities in Baoshan District of Shanghai during COVID-19 period in 2020

Objective To explore the impact of COVID-19 epidemic on the lifestyles of patients with chronic diseases and to help better chronic disease prevention and control during the epidemic.

Methods The patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes who were still under management in Baoshan District， Shanghai at the end of September 2019 were selected for the investigation through telephone follow-up from March 1 to April 30 in 2020. 960 participants were selected using a stratified random sampling method. Those who did not complete the investigation for any reasons were excluded. A total of 613 people were effectively investigated. We compared and analyzed the lifestyles of patients with chronic diseases during 2020 （COVID-19） with those in 2019.

Results During the epidemic， the proportion of people who had regular physical exercise （P<0.05）and transportation activities（P<0.05） was lower than that before the epidemic. The proportion of people with light， moderate and heavy activity intensity（P<0.05） was lower than before the epidemic， and the difference was statistically significant. The time spent on sitting or leaning was more than that before the epidemic （P<0.05）. As for the condition of complying with the doctor’s advice， no significant difference was found in different age and chronic disease groups. There was a statistically significant difference in total food intake （χ²=7.994，P<0.05） and staple foods （χ²=6.677，P<0.05） between patients with or without hypertension. There was a statistically significant difference in total food intake（χ²=10.694，P<0.05） and staple food intake （χ²=9.523，P<0.05） between those with or without diabetes mellitus （P<0.05）. Patients with chronic diseases during the epidemic could not know about latest values of measurement index and had emotional problems such as restlessness， nervousness and irritability.

Conclusion Patients with chronic diseases changes their lifestyles during the epidemic， and their exercise and travel conditions decrease during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Most patients have different levels of emotional problems such as restlessness and nervousness. It is recommended to increase the intensity and frequency of physical activity and promote mental health to better prevent and control the occurrence of chronic diseases.