Introduction:/Aims Patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs), including many elderly, immunosuppressed, and disabled individuals, may have been particularly affected during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Lombardy, a COVID-19 high-incidence area between February and May 2020. We aimed to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life (QoL) and perceived disease burden of this group of patients. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional phone-based survey study between June 1 and June 14, 2020, on a sample of 240 NMD patients followed at our clinic in Milan, Italy. We asked about perceived NMD burden and QoL before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected responses on access to outpatient care and ancillary services. We investigated the presence of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 infection and confirmed cases. Results We collected 205 responses: 53 patients (25.9%) reported a subjective worsening of the underlying NMD. QoL measures showed a significant worsening between pre and pandemic time frames (odds ratio, 2.14 95%; confidence interval, 1.82-2.51). Outpatient visits were postponed in more than half of cases (57.1%), with 104 patients (50.7%) experiencing a cancellation of scheduled diagnostic tests. 79 patients (38.5%) reported at least one symptom attributable to COVID-19 infection. Among the 10 patients tested with nasopharyngeal swabs, 6 tested positive and 3 died from respiratory failure, including 2 patients on corticosteroid/ immunosuppressive therapy. Discussion The COVID-19 pandemic affected QoL and limited access to outpatient care and ancillary services of NMD patients in Lombardy between February and May 2020.

Impact of COVID-19 on the quality of life of patients with neuromuscular disorders in the Lombardy area, Italy / D. Gagliardi, G. Costamagna, E. Abati, E. Mauri, R. Brusa, L. Scudeller, L. Andreoli, G. Citterio, E. Piccin, F. Magri, M. Meneri, D. Velardo, M. Sciacco, N. Bresolin, S. Corti, G.P. Comi. - In: MUSCLE & NERVE. - ISSN 0148-639X. - 64:4(2021 Oct), pp. 474-482. [10.1002/mus.27378]

Impact of COVID-19 on the quality of life of patients with neuromuscular disorders in the Lombardy area, Italy

D. Gagliardi;G. Costamagna;E. Abati;E. Mauri;R. Brusa;L. Andreoli;G. Citterio;F. Magri;M. Meneri;N. Bresolin;S. Corti
Penultimo
;
G.P. Comi
Ultimo
2021

Abstract

Introduction:/Aims Patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs), including many elderly, immunosuppressed, and disabled individuals, may have been particularly affected during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Lombardy, a COVID-19 high-incidence area between February and May 2020. We aimed to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life (QoL) and perceived disease burden of this group of patients. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional phone-based survey study between June 1 and June 14, 2020, on a sample of 240 NMD patients followed at our clinic in Milan, Italy. We asked about perceived NMD burden and QoL before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected responses on access to outpatient care and ancillary services. We investigated the presence of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 infection and confirmed cases. Results We collected 205 responses: 53 patients (25.9%) reported a subjective worsening of the underlying NMD. QoL measures showed a significant worsening between pre and pandemic time frames (odds ratio, 2.14 95%; confidence interval, 1.82-2.51). Outpatient visits were postponed in more than half of cases (57.1%), with 104 patients (50.7%) experiencing a cancellation of scheduled diagnostic tests. 79 patients (38.5%) reported at least one symptom attributable to COVID-19 infection. Among the 10 patients tested with nasopharyngeal swabs, 6 tested positive and 3 died from respiratory failure, including 2 patients on corticosteroid/ immunosuppressive therapy. Discussion The COVID-19 pandemic affected QoL and limited access to outpatient care and ancillary services of NMD patients in Lombardy between February and May 2020.
access to care; COVID-19; immunosuppression; neuromuscular disorders; quality-of-life
Settore MED/26 - Neurologia
ott-2021
22-lug-2021
Article (author)
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
mus.27378.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Post-print, accepted manuscript ecc. (versione accettata dall'editore)
Dimensione 1.96 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.96 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
mus.27378.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: online first
Tipologia: Publisher's version/PDF
Dimensione 1.86 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.86 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
mus.27378.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Publisher's version/PDF
Dimensione 2.14 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.14 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/859931
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 2
  • Scopus 7
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 6
social impact