COVID-19 Pandemic Indirect Impact on Mortality Rates

Objectives: COVID-19 pandemic is increasing mortality rates worldwide. Globally, as of 5 January 2022, there have been almost 5.5 million deaths caused by COVID reported to the World Health Organization. COVID-19 infection not only induces acute illness and costs, but often has long-term lasting consequences, such as chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers are paying close attention to assessing these direct effects. Thereby, the aim of this study is to analyse the possible indirect impact of the pandemic on mortality rates in other diagnoses besides the COVID-19. Method(s): Latvia data were used for analysis, and three diagnoses groups with the highest mortality rates, according to the Latvian Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, were selected for analysis: 1) Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99, ICD-10); 2) Neoplasms (C00-D48, ICD-10); 3) External causes of death (V00-Y98, ICD-10). Data from 2015 to 2020, as well as data for 10 months of 2021 to forecast the complete data of 2021, were analysed to determine statistical data trends, by descriptive statistical analysis. Result(s): The results of analysis demonstrate that there are no significant trend changes in the diagnoses groups: Neoplasms (C00-D48) and External causes of death (V00-Y98). Simultaneously, in the group of Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99), there was a gradual and steady decrease in mortality from 2015 to 2019. However, in 2020 the mortality had increased by 2.8% compared to 2019, and in 2021 it is forecasted to grow significantly - by 7% compared to 2020. Conclusion(s): Example of Latvia shows that during the pandemic, mortality increases notably in some diagnoses besides the COVID-19, namely in the group of Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99). It can be assumed that this tendency would be associated with significant restrictions on outpatient care during pandemic, but in-depth research would be needed to identify all impact factors.Copyright © 2022