WS11.1 The anxiety levels of children with cystic fibrosis and healthy children during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives: The first case of COVID-19 infection was confirmed in Turkey on March 11, 2020 and the Turkish government ordered a nation-wide school closure and lockdown for people younger than 20 years old by 1st of April. School closure and home confinement might have adverse effects on children's physical and mental health. In this study, we aimed to compare the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological reactions and coping of CF patients and healthy controls. Methods: 132 CF patients and 135 volunteers, ages 7 years and older, were included in the study. The survey included questions regarding family environment and peer relations, self care during lockdown and psychological reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Compared to the patient group, the control group showed more anxiety symptoms, tried to have new hobbies during lockdown and needed more psychological help (Table 1). [Table presented] Conclusion: Surprisingly, symptoms of anxiety were higher in the control group compared to the CF group. CF patients seem to show more resiliance in coping with the outbreak and with school closure than their peers. Also, they reported needing less psychological help (not statistically significant). Since CF patients are already used to wearing face masks and follow infection control measures in their daily lives, these measures may not cause extra anxiety as in their healthy peers. Screening for psychological symptoms should be recommended both for CF patients and healthy children. Children with CF and also healthy children should be screened for anxiety symptoms and appropriate psychological support should be provided to them, if needed.