Skip to main content

Diagnoses of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer 'plummeted by up to 50 PER CENT during lockdown', amid fears of a ticking time-bomb

Diagnoses of cancer and other life-threatening health conditions dropped off dramatically during the coronavirus lockdown, an alarming study suggests.

Between March and May, there were 49 per cent fewer people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes than doctors would expect at that time of year and 44 per cent less heart disease cases. 

Mental health diagnoses also plummeted by half in the three-month period, while there were 43 per cent fewer patients with respiratory problems.

There were also 16 per cent fewer cancer patients - amid fears of a time bomb of undiagnosed and untreated cancer that could lead to a surge in deaths in years to come.

The worrying drop-off was revealed after researchers analysed the health records of more than 240,000 people living in Salford, Greater Manchester. 

Experts say some patients will have been too scared to go to hospital in case they got the virus, while others wouldn't have wanted to be a burden on the health service.

A drive to 'protect the NHS' when the virus first took off in spring this year led to thousands of routine operations, scans and appointments being cancelled and postponed en masse.   

The number of conditions diagnosed during lockdown plummeted, a study has revealed. Pictured above is an empty private ward at a hospital in London

The number of conditions diagnosed during lockdown plummeted, a study has revealed. Pictured above is an empty private ward at a hospital in London

The study, published in The Lancet Public Health, used ten years of patients' data from January 2010 to this year to create statistical models showing the predicted number of new diagnoses between March 1 and May 31.

It then compared these to the actual levels to highlight the drop-off in hospital and GP attendance as pandemic fear gripped the UK.

Richard Williams, from the University of Manchester's Centre for Health Informatics and study leader, told MailOnline the researchers see 'no reason' why the figures for Salford do not reflect the national picture for the UK.

'Salford does have a higher deprivation than other parts of the country but we see no reason why there wouldn't be a similar effect elsewhere,' he said. 'Although in some areas it may be not as pronounced.'

He added the data showed NHS bosses should be concerned about a backlog of patients coming forward to seek help at healthcare centres.

Mr Williams said: '(Our study) shows there's a large number of people who are living with these conditions undetected, undiagnosed and untreated.

'As people's willingness to re-engage with the health service increases then you're potentially going to see a surge in the coming months.

'It's particularly important to communicate now that you're seeing a second wave that the health service is still open. It's really important to keep seeing these patients.' 

People are being urged to stay away from emergency rooms over winter in a bid to control a possible spike in coronavirus cases. (Stock image)

People are being urged to stay away from emergency rooms over winter in a bid to control a possible spike in coronavirus cases. (Stock image)

How Covid-19 has affected cancer patients in the UK 

Cancer Research UK estimates 2.4 million people were waiting for a cancer screening, further tests or cancer treatment at the end of May.

An estimated 2.1 million people were waiting for breast, bowel or cervical screening.

The charity also found that one in three cancer patients say their treatment has been impacted by the effects of the coronavirus on the health system.

Around 4 in 10 people (42%) also said their tests had been affected, according to the survey of 1,900 cancer patients carried out in May.

Around 70% of people who had delays or cancellations to cancer testing and treatment also reported feeling more frustrated and anxious. 

Dr Owain Thomas, GP at a practice in Salford, said the research is a 'vital part' of understanding the overall impacts of Covid-19.

'The conditions we have looked at are usually many months or years in the making,' he said, 'so the reduction in new diagnoses does not represent a reduction in the burden of these diseases, more the fact that they have not yet been formally recognised'.

'This will have an impact individually on those patients - the longer a patient goes undiagnosed, the more complications they are likely to suffer.

'As we move forwards, careful thought will be needed to plan services to find and support those patients who have not yet been diagnosed.'

The highest percentage drop off the study showed was for mental health diagnoses, where 2,147 cases were expected but only 1,073 were diagnosed.

This is particularly worrying as lockdown is thought to have amplified the condition for many with the disruption in routine and absence of normal support systems.

The condition was followed by type 2 diabetes, where 141 cases were diagnosed out of an expected 276, and circulatory system disease, where 598 were diagnosed out of an expected 1,054.

In malignant cancers 163 out of an expected 194 cases were diagnosed.

They were the only group studied not to show a significant difference from the expected figure.

The researchers suggested this is because it can take longer for cancer cases to be registered on the NHS system, meaning it appears that there has been a drop off in diagnoses. 

The stark figures come after a YouGov poll revealed more than half of patients have struggled to get an appointment with their GP since the pandemic struck, as services are moved online.

As much as 53 per cent of those questioned said it was 'harder' to book to see a doctor either in person or over the phone, as demand has surged in recent months. 

A nurse shows a cardiac patient and a doctor an image of a heart on a tablet at a health clinic

A nurse shows a cardiac patient and a doctor an image of a heart on a tablet at a health clinic

A further 30 per cent of patients said they were finding it as hard to book an appointment now as before the pandemic.

To manage possible overcrowding this winter patients will be urged not to go to A&E unless they have called NHS 111 first. 

Those who have less serious complaints will be encouraged by handlers to see a GP, visit a pharmacist or attend a minor injuries unit.

And patients deemed ill enough to go to A&E are likely to be given a dedicated time slot when the unit is not too busy.

The study comes after the Mail revealed tens of thousands of patients had dodged going to hospital for life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks during the coronavirus crisis.

Shocking figures show that admissions for seven deadly non-coronavirus conditions - including stroke, diabetes, dementia, mental health conditions and eating disorders - between March and June fell by more than 173,000 on the previous year.

The NHS Digital data revealed the largest drop in admissions was for dementia - down 51 per cent in April compared to 2019. 

Health experts said the statistics were 'troubling' and that many patients may have died or suffered long-term harm as a result. 

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o