Patient-Reported Outcomes and Healthcare Practices: A Retrospective Analysis of Cystic Fibrosis Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most prevalent inherited diseases in children. Coronavirus can lead to more severe respiratory complications in patients with comorbidities, such as CF. Additionally, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed a substantial burden on both national and international healthcare systems. Coronavirus disease could influence CF patients’ morbidities and mortalities. Methods: A descriptive retrospective study was performed at Mofid Children's Hospital to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on CF patients. A physician completed 128 valid and reliable questionnaires. Moreover, hospital medical records were also used to revalidate the data and complete the remaining part of the questionnaire. The information collected for this study included demographic data, patients' height, patients' weight, body mass index (BMI), past and current positive history of COVID-19-like symptoms, socially determined condition, and influence of COVID-19 on routine therapeutic measurements in CF. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 21). Results: The majority of cases continued to perform chest physiotherapy at home, maintained routine follow-ups with pulmonologists, and adhered to their previous medication regimens (59.4%, 42.2%, and 82%, respectively). Moreover, 65.5% of participants reported leaving home less frequently than before, and approximately 73% of patients’ parents also reduced their outings, with no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The daily habits of CF patients did not undergo significant changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during the Omicron wave, despite the dramatic increase in infection rates.