engleski

Impact of Sars-Cov-2 Pandemic on IBD Patients in Our Tertiary Centre - Cross Sectional Study.

Introduction: At the outbreak of an ongoing SARS- CoV-2 pandemic little was known about its impact on highly immunosuppressed IBD patients. Our IBD unit went under vigorous organisational changes in accordance with government “lock down” plan. Primary goals were maintenance of our accessibility and provision of all relevant information to our IBD pa tients. Consequences of coronavirus pandemic on emotional and psychological health are tremendous and earthquake that hit our area in the middle of the crisis certainly contributed to it. Aims & Methods: After introduction of novel methods of patient regular monitoring (remote check-ups by scheduled phone calls and online consultancy, additional email addresses and telephone lines, adequate protective measures in infusion unit, online and printed informative brochures) we have invited our patients to complete anonymous questionnaire in order to reveal there’s concerns and burden of emotional stress as well as satisfaction with provided healthcare. Results: 103 adult patients (63.5% female, 59 had Crohn’s disease, 39 ulcerative colitis and 5 IBD unclassified) fulfilled online questionnaire from April 1st to April 30th. 63.5% of participants were between 18 and 40-yearold and only 1.9% were older than 60, probably due to low computer literacy among elder population. 74 participants had disease duration >5 years and 54.4% were treated with biologics. Only 48.1% of our patient considered to be appropriately and on time informed about COVID-19 impact on there’s health. 63.5% perceived themselves as high risk group of patients and vast majority considered social distancing and isolation as extremely important. Moreover, half of participants refrained from interaction with household members even without being particularly advised to do so. 19 participants reported worsening of symptoms from the beginning of pandemic, although none of the patients discontinued recommended IBD therapy. Albeit 43.3% reported high emotional and psychosocial burden only 18.3% reported a need for psychological help. 13 of 91 lost their job or felt that they were under high risk of becoming unemployed. 66.3% were completely and 12.5% were partially satisfied with provided healthcare. 57.7% of participants considered virtual clinics as a convenient way of communication even after SARS-CoV-2 pandemic resolution. Until the end of April, we haven’t recorded any COVID-19 positive IBD patient in our IBD clinic. Conclusion: While the real psychological, socioeconomic and health consequences are yet to be assessed this pandemic helped to revealed important role of telemedicine. We believe that we have been able to establish effective and satisfactory communication channel during SARS-CoV-2 infection with younger subpopulation of our IBD patients. How much impact does this health crisis have on our elder subpopulation of IBD population is still unknown. Members of IBD team must put additional emphasis on communicating and helping to resolve high emotional and psychosocial burden that coronavirus pandemic have on IBD patients

Sars-Cov-2, IBD

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