Impact of COVID-19 on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)

Abstract

Since December 2019, a novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), pandemic has affected more than 18.6 million people worldwide. Male gender, older age, obesity, and comorbid noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic respiration illnesses, and cancer have higher risk and fatal outcome of COVID-19. India has a huge burden of NCDs and their associated risk factors which could act in harmony with COVID-19 to produce severe and fatal outcome. Till date the specific treatment options for COVID-19 are elusive and as NCDs are reported as the main causative risk factors for COVID-19 which can worsen the outcome, the focus should be made on continuing and improving the healthcare facilities related to the prevention, management, and control of NCDs. The management of NCDs in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection are quite challenging. The restrictive measures imposed by governments all over the world such as complete or partial lockdown, travel restrictions, and physical distancing to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection have affected the people with NCDs by limiting their access to healthcare facilities, physical activity access to healthy food, and even to medicines and essential supplies. These factors increase the risk of developing obesity, diabetes, and CVDs. This article reviews the burden of NCDs in India, the cross-connection between NCDs and COVID-19, disruptions of healthcare services for NCDs, and proposes research priorities during COVID-19 for effective management and control of NCDs.