Is Quarantine for COVID-19 Pandemic Associated with Psychological Burden in Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia?

Maria Pia Riccio,Melissa Borrelli,Marco Poeta,Margherita Del Bene,Maria Teresa Fioretti,Francesca Santamaria,Carmela Bravaccio

doi:10.3390/ijerph17218099

Abstract

Background: Information on psychological impact of COVID-19 quarantine in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a chronic disorder with recurrent pulmonary exacerbations, is lacking. Psychological well-being was prospectively assessed during COVID-19 lockdown in Italy in a PCD population. Methods: we recruited 27 PCD patients and 27 healthy controls. To assess psychological well-being, psychological general well-being index and parenting stress index-short questionnaires were administered to participants ≥15 years-old and to mothers of participants <15 years-old, respectively. The PCD exacerbations since outbreak onset and frequency of quarantine weekly chest physiotherapy were compared to the same period of 2019. Outcomes: 70% of PCD mothers and 90% of PCD patients did not show parental stress levels or distress levels, respectively, and these groups showed no significant difference in stress compared to controls. The PCD pulmonary exacerbations occurred less frequently and weekly chest physiotherapy sessions significantly increased compared to the same period during 2019 (p < 0.05). Interpretation: During COVID-19 quarantine, a PCD population showed psychological well-being. Low exacerbation rate, explained by lower infectious exposure or improved compliance to chest physiotherapy, likely contributed to psychological well-being. Evaluating psychological burden and parental stress is a valuable tool for measuring the emotional impact of PCD and improving PCD medical care.

Highlights

Information on psychological impact of COVID-19 quarantine in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a chronic disorder with recurrent pulmonary exacerbations, is lacking.Psychological well-being was prospectively assessed during COVID-19 lockdown in Italy in a PCD population
The primary aim of our study was to prospectively assess the PCD patients’ psychological burden and parental stress levels compared to healthy people during the lockdown period in Italy
Demographic and clinical characteristics are summarized in Table 1. 10 healthy participants aged

Summary

Introduction

Information on psychological impact of COVID-19 quarantine in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a chronic disorder with recurrent pulmonary exacerbations, is lacking. Psychological well-being was prospectively assessed during COVID-19 lockdown in Italy in a PCD population. Originating in December 2019 as a cluster of unexplained pneumonia in China, the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome due to coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), designated as coronavirus disease. COVID-19 ranges from pauci- or asymptomatic forms to acute respiratory distress syndrome, and in several cases, multi-organ failure and death have been described [2]. Incidence of pediatric COVID-19 is lower than adult disease, with fewer critical cases, and very few deaths [3]. The COVID-19 course was not significantly different for patients with non-allergic asthma and cystic fibrosis (CF) from the general population [5,6]. Public Health 2020, 17, 8099; doi:10.3390/ijerph17218099 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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