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Associations between the spread of COVID-19 and end-of-life circumstances in the non-infected population of Sweden

SENNFÄLT, STEFAN ; HEDMAN, CHRISTEL LU and FÜRST, CARL JOHAN LU (2023) In Scandinavian Journal of Public Health
Abstract

Aims: Since its outbreak in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has directly caused the premature death of millions. However, indirect consequences, such as social restrictions, have affected a far greater number. We explored the association between the spread of COVID-19 and end-of-life circumstances in the infected and non-infected population in Sweden. Methods: In this descriptive, population-based, observational study, we primarily used data from the Swedish National Registry of Palliative Care, which covers about 60% of all deaths in Sweden. We explored the association between the spread of COVID-19 and place of death, people present at death and end-of-life symptoms using regression analyses. Results: The study included 190,291... (More)

Aims: Since its outbreak in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has directly caused the premature death of millions. However, indirect consequences, such as social restrictions, have affected a far greater number. We explored the association between the spread of COVID-19 and end-of-life circumstances in the infected and non-infected population in Sweden. Methods: In this descriptive, population-based, observational study, we primarily used data from the Swedish National Registry of Palliative Care, which covers about 60% of all deaths in Sweden. We explored the association between the spread of COVID-19 and place of death, people present at death and end-of-life symptoms using regression analyses. Results: The study included 190,291 individuals who died in any region of Sweden from 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2022, of which 10,646 were COVID-19 cases. Correlated to the temporal and geographical spread of COVID-19, there was a greater proportion of individuals dying without the presence of their next-of-kin, and consequently more people dying alone, both in those with and without COVID-19. There was a similar pattern of a greater proportion of deaths taking place in nursing homes and in the individual’s own home. However, we did not find substantial associations to reported symptoms, such as anxiety or confusion. Conclusions: This study shows the profound effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on end-of-life circumstances in both the infected and non-infected population in Sweden. As we prepare for future pandemics, there is a need to develop strategies to minimise the impact on non-infected individuals.

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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
COVID-19, Death, Loneliness, Palliative care
in
Scandinavian Journal of Public Health
publisher
SAGE Publications
external identifiers
  • scopus:85181202830
ISSN
1403-4948
DOI
10.1177/14034948231216197
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
c8bec041-2185-4880-bf1b-c7301936cd46
date added to LUP
2024-02-16 12:24:30
date last changed
2024-02-16 12:27:23
@article{c8bec041-2185-4880-bf1b-c7301936cd46,
  abstract     = {{<p>Aims: Since its outbreak in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has directly caused the premature death of millions. However, indirect consequences, such as social restrictions, have affected a far greater number. We explored the association between the spread of COVID-19 and end-of-life circumstances in the infected and non-infected population in Sweden. Methods: In this descriptive, population-based, observational study, we primarily used data from the Swedish National Registry of Palliative Care, which covers about 60% of all deaths in Sweden. We explored the association between the spread of COVID-19 and place of death, people present at death and end-of-life symptoms using regression analyses. Results: The study included 190,291 individuals who died in any region of Sweden from 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2022, of which 10,646 were COVID-19 cases. Correlated to the temporal and geographical spread of COVID-19, there was a greater proportion of individuals dying without the presence of their next-of-kin, and consequently more people dying alone, both in those with and without COVID-19. There was a similar pattern of a greater proportion of deaths taking place in nursing homes and in the individual’s own home. However, we did not find substantial associations to reported symptoms, such as anxiety or confusion. Conclusions: This study shows the profound effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on end-of-life circumstances in both the infected and non-infected population in Sweden. As we prepare for future pandemics, there is a need to develop strategies to minimise the impact on non-infected individuals.</p>}},
  author       = {{SENNFÄLT, STEFAN and HEDMAN, CHRISTEL and FÜRST, CARL JOHAN}},
  issn         = {{1403-4948}},
  keywords     = {{COVID-19; Death; Loneliness; Palliative care}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{SAGE Publications}},
  series       = {{Scandinavian Journal of Public Health}},
  title        = {{Associations between the spread of COVID-19 and end-of-life circumstances in the non-infected population of Sweden}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/14034948231216197}},
  doi          = {{10.1177/14034948231216197}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}