Anxiety of children with primary ciliary dyskinesia and their mothers during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

<b>Introduction:</b> The COVID-19 pandemic can increase anxiety levels of children with chronic respiratory disease and their primary caregivers. <b>Aims:</b> To evaluate the anxiety of children with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and their families during COVID-19 pandemic <b>Methods:</b> A total of 29 patients and 105 healthy children and their mothers were included in this questionnaire-based study conducted via teleconference. Their demographic characteristics, clinical information, and information about caregivers’ exercise at home during pandemic were recorded. State and trait anxiety levels of children’s and mothers’ were evaluated and compared between two groups. The anxiety levels of patients’ mothers were evaluated according to the children’s clinical features. Mothers’ knowledge about COVID-19 was evaluated, and the effect of teleconference on their anxiety was assessed. <b>Results:</b> The median age of patients was 13 years. State anxiety of children in patients aged 13–18 years and trait anxiety levels of their mothers were lower than control group (P&lt;0.05). Trait and state anxiety of children aged 13–18 years and of mothers positively correlated in groups. Patients’ FEV1 and MEF25–75 negatively correlated with their mothers’ trait anxiety. Patients’ mothers exercising at home during the pandemic had lower anxiety levels (P&lt;0.05). Patients’ mothers reported feeling less anxiety at the end of the teleconference. <b>Conclusions:</b> Children with PCD were less anxious than healthy children during pandemic, and their mothers exhibited lower trait anxiety than healthy children’s mothers. Obtaining information about COVID-19 and exercising during pandemic may have decreased anxiety levels of PCD patients’ mothers.