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Abstract
We have recently reported reduced physical activity (PA) in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) with and without lung transplantation (LTX) during a 6-week stringent lockdown in Switzerland. This follow-up study explores the impact of coronavirus-2019 disease (COVID-19) related pandemic restrictions on individuals' therapy regimens and health-related aspects in pwCF. We conducted a cross-sectional web-based national survey in Spring 2021. The survey included questions on daily PA, airway clearance and inhalation therapy, questions on COVID-19-compatible symptoms, diagnostic tests and vaccination status, and enquired health-related aspects covering the pandemic period between March 2020 to April 2021. 193 individuals with CF (53% female; 25% LTX recipients) participated. Among pwCF, 10 reported COVID-19 (n = 2 LTX recipients), two subjects were hospitalized, no invasive ventilation required, no deaths. The clinical course was generally mild. Overall, 46% reported less PA during the pandemic, mostly due to closed fitness facilities (85%), lack of motivation (34%), and changes in daily structures (21%). In contrast, 32/193 (17%) pwCF were able to increase their PA levels: 12 (38%) and 11 (34%) reported undertaking home-based training and outdoor activities more frequently; 6 (19%) reported an increase in routine PA, and another 3 (9%) started new activities. Among pwCF without LTX, 5% and 4% reported to undertake less airway clearance and inhalation therapy, respectively. Our study reveals unfavorable consequences of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on PA of pwCF with unknown long-term consequences for their overall physical fitness and lung health. Strategies to overcome this undesirable situation are needed; increased uptake of telehealth PA programs and virtual exercise classes to promote PA participation might be one promising approach along with vaccination of pwCF and their close contacts.
Highlights
Severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) became apparent at the end of 2019 and continuously causes a global pandemic affecting the health and well-being of the general population and those with chronic respiratory disease [1, 2]
Our study reveals unfavorable consequences of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on physical activity (PA) of people with CF (pwCF) with unknown long-term consequences for their overall physical fitness and lung
LTX recipients and those with pre-existing advanced cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease (ACFLD) and other extra-pulmonary comorbidities seem to be at higher risk for severe COVID-19; even fatal outcomes were reported in a few cases [5, 7, 8]
Summary
Severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) became apparent at the end of 2019 and continuously causes a global pandemic affecting the health and well-being of the general population and those with chronic respiratory disease [1, 2]. Our Group recently reported lower physical activity levels in a substantial proportion of adults with CF during the first wave of the pandemic including a 6-week nationwide lockdown in Switzerland [10], supported by observational data of pwCF living in the UK [9], and in Greece [11]. We have recently reported reduced physical activity (PA) in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) with and without lung transplantation (LTX) during a 6-week stringent lockdown in Switzerland. This follow-up study explores the impact of coronavirus-2019 disease (COVID-19) related pandemic restrictions on individuals’ therapy regimens and health-related aspects in pwCF
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