Morbidity, Clinical Course and Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Patient Reported Survey.

Eliza Wasilewska,Sylwia Małgorzewicz,Karolina Śledzińska,Agnieszka Sobierajska-Rek,Jolanta Wierzba,Ewa Jassem

doi:10.3390/ijerph19010406

Abstract

Background: Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) may be at higher risk of a severe course of COVID-19. The aim of the study was to evaluate: (1) the incidence and course of COVID-19 infection in DMD patients; (2) the vaccination status of DMD patients; and (3) COVID-19 related anxiety among DMD families. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted during an online symposium for DMD patients and their families. All participants (DMD families; n = 150) were asked to fill in the online survey with questions about COVID-19 infection history, vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and anxiety during pandemic. Results: 53 DMD patients filled in the survey. Five (9.43%) were COVID-19 positive with mild symptoms of respiratory infection and anosmia; 23 (42.6%) were vaccinated, but in almost 20% of DMD families, none of the family members was vaccinated. Respondents revealed anxiety related both to the vaccination procedure and to COVID-19 infection (complications after infection 93.6%, death 62.4% respondents). Changes in health care system organization also aroused concern among participants (85.3%). Conclusion: The course of the COVID-19 infection in DMD patients was mild. Not enough patients with DMD and their families are vaccinated. Education about the management of COVID-19 infections and the vaccination procedure for DMD patients is needed and expected.

Highlights

Since December 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly spread all over the world
The number of new cases and deaths in Poland due to COVID-19 has rapidly increased to a total number of more than 2,330,000 cases and 78,688 deaths reported to date (17 November 2021) [2]
The study was conducted as part of the Multidisciplinary Care Program for Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the Rare Disease Centre (RDC), University Clinical

Summary

Introduction

Since December 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly spread all over the world. In. Poland, the COVID-19 pandemic was officially announced by the Ministry of Health on 13. The number of new cases and deaths in Poland due to COVID-19 has rapidly increased to a total number of more than 2,330,000 cases and 78,688 deaths reported to date (17 November 2021) [2]. Several risk factors of a severe clinical course of COVID-19 have been described: obesity, chronic respiratory tract diseases, hypertension, chronic renal illnesses, diabetes and malignancy [3,4]. Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) due to progressive muscular weakness, which causes respiratory failure, may be at higher.

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