Emotional, hyperactivity and inattention problems in adolescents with immunocompromising chronic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic

Reinan T Campos ,Andréia Watanabe,Bruno Gualano,Izabel M Buscatti,Hamilton Roschel,Camilla Astley,Vivianne Saraiva Viana ,Moisés F Laurentino ,Lígia Bruni Queiroz ,Renan A De Sousa ,Beatriz O L Carneiro ,Kátia Kozu ,Ricardo Katsuya Toma ,Marianna R De M Freire ,Caio Borba Casella ,Nádia Emi Aikawa ,Lívia Lindoso ,Levi M V Paradelas ,Guilherme Vanoni Polanczyk ,Rosa Maria Rodrigues Pereira ,Jean Paulo V De Souza ,Sylvia Costa Lima Farhat ,Claudia Alejandra Ayala Strabelli ,Alberto Carame Helito ,Adriana Maluf Elias Sallum ,Juliana Carvalho Ferreira ,Bianca Pires Ihara ,Patrícia Moreno Grangeiro ,Maria Paula R Cardoso ,Lúcia Maria Arruda Campos ,Juliana Russo Simon ,Clóvis A Silva

doi:10.1016/j.clinsp.2023.100167

Reinan T Campos , Andréia Watanabe + Show 30 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinsp.2023.100167

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess factors associated with emotional changes and Hyperactivity/Inattention (HI) motivated by COVID-19 quarantine in adolescents with immunocompromising diseases. MethodsA cross-sectional study included 343 adolescents with immunocompromising diseases and 108 healthy adolescents. Online questionnaires were answered including socio-demographic data and self-rated healthcare routine during COVID-19 quarantine and validated surveys: Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL4.0). ResultsThe frequencies of abnormal emotional SDQ scores from adolescents with chronic diseases were similar to those of healthy subjects (110/343 [32%] vs. 38/108 [35%], p = 0.548), as well as abnormal hyperactivity/inattention SDQ scores (79/343 [23%] vs. 29/108 [27%], p = 0.417). Logistic regression analysis of independent variables associated with abnormal emotional scores from adolescents with chronic diseases showed: female sex (Odds Ratio [OR = 3.76]; 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) 2.00‒7.05; p < 0.001), poor sleep quality (OR = 2.05; 95% CI 1.08‒3.88; p = 0.028) and intrafamilial violence during pandemic (OR = 2.17; 95% CI 1.12‒4.19; p = 0.021) as independently associated with abnormal emotional scores, whereas total PedsQL score was inversely associated with abnormal emotional scores (OR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.93‒0.96; p < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis associated with abnormal HI scores from patients evidenced that total PedsQL score (OR = 0.97; 95% CI 0.95‒0.99; p = 0.010], changes in medical appointments during the pandemic (OR = 0.39; 95% CI 0.19-0.79; p = 0.021), and reliable COVID-19 information (OR = 0.35; 95% CI 0.16‒0.77; p = 0.026) remained inversely associated with abnormal HI scores. ConclusionThe present study showed emotional and HI disturbances in adolescents with chronic immunosuppressive diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. It reinforces the need to promptly implement a longitudinal program to protect the mental health of adolescents with and without chronic illnesses during future pandemics.

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