Abstract
Objectives: We explored the impact of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) emergency on the health of people with epilepsy (PwE). We also investigated their attitude toward telemedicine.Methods: The PubMed database up to September 10, 2020 was searched for questionnaire-based studies conducted in PwE during the COVID-19 emergency, and the literature retrieved was reviewed. In addition, all patients who had a telephone consultation with our center between May 7 and July 31, 2020 were invited to fill in a 57-item online questionnaire focusing on epilepsy and comorbidities, any changes in lifestyle or clinical conditions and any emergency-related problems arising during the COVID-19 emergency, and their views on telemedicine. Associations between variables were detected through X2 test and Fisher's exact test. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the effects of different factors on clinical conditions.Results: Twelve studies met the literature search criteria. They showed that the rate of seizure worsening during the emergency ranged from 4 to 35% and was mainly correlated with epilepsy severity, sleep disturbances and COVID-19-related issues. Our questionnaire was filled in by 222 PwE or caregivers. One hundred (76.6%) reported unchanged clinical conditions, 25 (11.3%) an improvement, and 27 (12%) a deterioration. Reported clinical worsening was associated with a psychiatric condition and/or medication (OR = 12.59, p < 0.001), sleep disorders (OR = 8.41, p = 0.001), limited access to healthcare (OR = 4.71, p = 0.016), and experiencing seizures during the emergency (OR = 4.51, p = 0.007). Telemedicine was considered acceptable by 116 subjects (52.3%).Conclusions: Most PwE did not experience a significant change in their clinical conditions during the COVID-19 emergency. However, severity of epilepsy, concomitant disability, comorbid psychiatric conditions, sleep disorders and limited access to healthcare may affect their health.
Highlights
The first half of 2020 saw a rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections worldwide
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19), the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, quickly reached pandemic proportions, seriously impacting the health systems of many countries
After reviewing the literature on the use of questionnaires in the fields of epilepsy and COVID-19, we present the original results of an online survey conducted in Italy
Summary
The first half of 2020 saw a rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections worldwide. The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19), the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, quickly reached pandemic proportions, seriously impacting the health systems of many countries. Was the first country in the Western world to be hard hit by the disease. On February 21, 2020, the Italian government issued the first of a series of legislative decrees that introduced increasingly stringent measures, closing down nonessential activities and severely restricting travel. These measures were rapidly extended to the whole of Italy. By March 11, the country’s entire population was required to comply with strict home confinement (lockdown) measures
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