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Change in CF care during COVID-19 Pandemic: Single-Center Experience in a middle-income setting
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  • Elpis Hatziagorou,
  • Ilektra Toulia,
  • Vasiliki Avramidou,
  • Asterios Kampouras,
  • Venetia Tsara,
  • John Tsanakas
Elpis Hatziagorou
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Health Sciences

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Ilektra Toulia
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Health Sciences
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Vasiliki Avramidou
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Health Sciences
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Asterios Kampouras
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Health Sciences
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Venetia Tsara
Institute of Applied Biosciences, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas
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John Tsanakas
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Health Sciences
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Abstract

Introduction: The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has demanded care changes for patients with chronic disease. Patients with CF are considered at higher risk of developing severe manifestations in the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and a need for new ways of safer care delivery has been required to avoid transmission. Objectives: To assess the impact of the lockdown during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and remote monitoring on patient’s health status and daily maintenance therapy in a middle-income resource setting. Methods: During the first wave of the pandemic period, we changed from regular clinic visits to telephone visit calls to monitor our patients’ health condition and adherence to physiotherapy and physical exercise. Results: A total of 120 patients or their caregivers have been contacted by telephone call visits over ten weeks. During this period, 38 patients (28.33%) were identified to have pulmonary exacerbation; 89.5% were prescribed oral antibiotics, 3% were hospitalized to get iv antibiotics, and 8% of the patients presented other CF complications. Most of the patients did not change the frequency of the daily physiotherapy. Moreover, 71% of the patients who performed regular physical exercise changed the frequency and the type of exercise during the quarantine period. Interestingly, mean FEV1 and body weight increased significantly and after the lockdown period. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of telephone contact processes aiming for CF patients’ appropriate care is of great importance. Further studies are needed to evaluate patient outcomes when transitioning from face-to-face clinics to telemedicine clinics.
21 Feb 2021Submitted to Pediatric Pulmonology
22 Feb 2021Submission Checks Completed
22 Feb 2021Assigned to Editor
25 Feb 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
07 Mar 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Mar 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major
04 Apr 20211st Revision Received
05 Apr 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
05 Apr 2021Submission Checks Completed
05 Apr 2021Assigned to Editor
23 Apr 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 May 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
07 May 20212nd Revision Received
08 May 2021Submission Checks Completed
08 May 2021Assigned to Editor
08 May 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
21 May 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
25 May 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
29 May 20213rd Revision Received
31 May 2021Submission Checks Completed
31 May 2021Assigned to Editor
31 May 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
24 Jun 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Jul 2021Editorial Decision: Accept