OBJECTIVES:

In order to limit the spread of Covid-19, many countries, Spain included, have implemented unprecedented restrictions, such as quarantines, curfew, isolation, school closings, restricted opening hours in stores, business closures, etc. On March 15^th 2020, the Spanish government implemented “nationwide lockdown” (general curfew) for at least the end of April. The impact of such measures on the (HR)QoL of the general public is unknown. Our study aim was assed the changes of utilities through quarantine in Spain.

METHODS

We implemented a quota based online survey starting previous of lockdown with two follow-ups within the curfew using EQ-5D-5L (rounds sample size was 500 adults). For each round, we asked HRQoL, Age, gender and region. Results comparing the pre-quarantine survey and the two first in-quarantine surveys were analyses overall and stratified by age, sex and prevalence information of Covid-19 by region from government sources. This information was compared with previous data from the national health survey conducted in 2011-2012 as a “normal situation” information.

RESULTS

Sample size was representative of Spanish population by age, gender and region. Slightly less than half of the respondents were female (47.78%). Elderly respondents were 13.3%, 40-60 age responders were43.1% and less 40 years responders were 43.6%. 26% of respondents resided in more affected regions (300 cases per 100.000 hab.).

Non-significant results were found when comparing the evolution of HRQL over the different follow-ups within the quarantine period. About 50% of participants reported Anxiety/depression (AD) problems. Females reported more AD problems than males. The percentage of population reporting AD problems in a “normal situation” is 15%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results shown that while there is no evidence supporting a decrease of HRQL over the quarantine period. However, there is a clear decrease when comparing with a normal situation.