Epidemiological characteristics of diseases of the circulatory system and other non-infectious diseases during the spread of COVID-19 in St. Petersburg

Introduction . Clinical and epidemiological studies have shown a significant impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the incidence of chronic non communicable diseases, the structure of comorbid conditions and the formation of post-COVID syndrome, in which the leading role belongs to the disruption of the cardiovascular system, respiratory organs and other vital systems of the human body. The purpose of the study: to study the incidence of diseases of the circulatory system and other non-communicable diseases in the pre-epidemic period and at different stages of the development of the COVID-19 epidemic process in a megapolis. Materials and methods . An analysis of the incidence of the adult population of St. Petersburg in the period preceding the COVID-19 epidemic (2017–2019), during the epidemic (2020–2022) and the period of reduction in the intensity of the epidemic process (2023–2025) according to the federal statistical observation form No. 12. The analysis included diseases with a newly diagnosed diagnosis, the dynamics of indicators and the structure of morbidity by class of diseases (ICD-10) and individual nosological forms of circulatory system diseases (CSD) were studied; differences were considered significant at p <0.05. Results and discussion. Compared to the pre-epidemic period during the COVID-19 epidemic, there was a statistically significant increase in the incidence of adult population of St. Petersburg only CSD (from 2681.75 to 3250.47 cases per 100 thousand population, p <0.05). During the period of a decrease in the intensity of the COVID-19 epidemic process, an increase in the frequency of newly diagnosed diseases of the blood, circulatory system, digestive system, endocrine, nervous and musculoskeletal systems, ear diseases, and mental disorders was observed. Among CSDs, in the context of the spread of COVID-19, an increase in the incidence of hypertensive diseases (HD) was detected; in people over working age (POWA), an increase in the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) and venous diseases was found. During the spread of COVID-19, there was an increase in the incidence of chronic respiratory diseases in older age groups of the population. Conclusion . Against the background of a decrease in the intensity of the COVID-19 epidemic process, there was an increase in the incidence of adult population with many classes of diseases, especially CSD. The incidence of HD tended to increase in the context of the spread of COVID-19 among patients of all age groups considered. Among the population of POWA, an increase in the incidence of CHD, CVD and vein diseases was established against the background of a decrease in the intensity of the COVID-19 epidemic process. The trends identified require further research to develop effective diagnostic and prevention strategies.