Method
A survey was conducted among children and adults with CF, from March 15,
2020 - the day the ”extraordinary situation” was officially declared in
most European countries, introducing strict measures protecting the
public - until May 10, 2020, now recognized as the first wave of the
pandemic.
A CF nurse performed regular telephone visit calls with the 120 children
and adolescents that are being followed in our CF clinic during the
quarantine period. We collected information directly from the patients
or their caregivers, asking questions regarding their weight, general
condition, change in respiratory symptoms (cough, sputum, dyspnea,
hemoptysis), fever, change in gastroenterology symptoms, or other CF
complications, as well as adherence to medication, physiotherapy, and
physical exercise. The CF multidisciplinary team (physician, nurse,
physiotherapist, and dietician) performed regular meetings to discuss
the issues they were pointed out in the telephone calls. If required,
antibiotics or bronchodilators were prescribed for pulmonary
exacerbations or a hospital visit, and possible admission was arranged.
Written informed consent was obtained from all patients or their
caregivers to use the collected data for research purposes. The study
does not fall under the scope of the Human Research Act.