Impact of omicron wave and associated control measures in Shanghai on health management and psychosocial well-being of patients with chronic conditions.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate health management, well-being, and pandemic-related perspectives of chronic disease patients in the context of stringent measures, and associated correlates. A self-report survey was administered during the Omicron wave lockdown in Shanghai, China. Items from the Somatic Symptom Scale (SSS) and Symptom Checklist-90 were administered, as well as pandemic-related items. Overall, 1,775 patients (mostly married females with hypertension) were recruited through a community family physician group. Mean SSS scores were 36.1 ± 10.5/80, with 41.5% scoring in the elevated range (i.e., >36). In an adjusted model, being female, diagnosis of coronary artery disease and arrhythmia, perceived impact of pandemic on life, health condition, change to exercise routine, tolerance of control measures, as well as perception of future and control measures were significantly associated with greater distress. One-quarter perceived the pandemic had a permanent impact on their life, and 44.1% perceived at least a minor impact. One-third discontinued exercise due to the pandemic. While 47.6% stocked up on their medications before the lockdown, their supply was only enough for two weeks; 17.5% of participants discontinued use. Chief among their fears were inability to access healthcare (83.2%), and what they stated they most needed to manage their condition was medication access (65.6%). Since 2020 when we assessed a similar cohort, distress and perceived impact of the pandemic have worsened. Greater access to cardiac rehabilitation in China could address these issues.

On the Frontlines in Shanghai: Stress, Burnout, and Perceived Benefit Among COVID-19 Testers and Other Personnel During the Omicron Wave Lockdown.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease-19) control measure stringency, including testing, has been among the highest globally in China. Psychosocial impact on pandemic workers in Shanghai and their pandemic-related attitudes were investigated. METHODS: Participants in this cross-sectional study were health care providers (HCPs) and other pandemic workers. A Mandarin online survey was administered between April and June 2022 during the omicron-wave lockdown. The Perceived Stress Scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory were administered. RESULTS: Eight hundred eighty-seven workers participated, of which 691 (77.9%) were HCPs. They were working 6.25 ± 1.24 days per week for 9.77 ± 4.28 hours per day. Most participants were burned out, with 143 (16.1%) moderately and 98 (11.0%) seriously. The Perceived Stress Scale score was 26.85 ± 9.92 of 56, with 353 participants (39.8%) having elevated stress. Many workers perceived benefits: cohesive relationships (n = 581 [65.5%]), resilience (n = 693 [78.1%]), and honor (n = 747 [84.2%]). In adjusted analyses, those perceiving benefits showed significantly less burnout (odds ratio, 0.573; 95% confidence interval, 0.411 to 0.799), among other correlates. CONCLUSIONS: Pandemic work, including among non-HCPs, is highly stressful, but some can derive benefits.

Older Adults' Attitudes Regarding COVID-19 and Associated Infection Control Measures in Shanghai and Impact on Well-Being.

This cross-sectional study investigated health management, well-being, and pandemic-related perspectives in Shanghainese adults ≥50 years at the early stages of COVID-19 using a self-report survey in March−April, 2020. Items from the SSS, PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were administered. A total of 1181 primarily married, retired females participated. Many participants had hypertension (44.1%), coronary artery disease (CAD; 17.8%), and diabetes (14.5%). While most (n = 868, 73.5%) were strictly following control measures and perceived they could tolerate >6 months (n = 555, 47.0%) and were optimistic (n = 969, 82.0%). A total of 52 (8.2%) of those with any condition and 19 (3.5%) of those without a condition reported that the pandemic was impacting their health. Somatic symptoms were high (29.4 ± 7.1/36), with sleep/cognitive symptoms highest. Totals of 20.2% and 17.0% of respondents had elevated depressive and anxious symptoms, respectively; greater distress was associated with lower income (p = 0.018), having hypertension (p = 0.001) and CAD (p < 0.001), negative perceptions of global COVID-19 control (p = 0.004), COVID-19 spread (p < 0.001), impact on life/health (p < 0.001), compliance with control measures (p < 0.001), and the toleration of shorter time control measures (p < 0.001) in adjusted analyses. In conclusion, during the initial COVID-19 outbreak, most older adults were optimistic/resilient regarding the epidemic and control measures. However, the distress of older adults was not trivial, particularly in those with health issues.