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.