THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON PRIMARY HEALTHCARE DISEASE INCIDENCE RATES: 2017 TO 2020

Abstract

We analyzed variations in the annual incidence of the main cardiovascular risk factors, prevalent chronic diseases, common mental health disorders and neoplasms in 2020 compared with 2017-2019. In 2020, there was a significant decrease in the incidence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, ischemic heart disease, benign prostatic hypertrophy, osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, alcohol use disorder, benign tumors, and melanomas. Only anxiety disorders increased significantly (IRR 1.16; 95% CI 1.07-1.24). Prioritization of COVID-19 care has changed the doctor-patient relationship to the detriment of face-to-face scheduled visits of chronic disease detection and monitoring protocols.