Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Inherited Metabolic Diseases: Evaluation of Enzyme Replacement Treatment Adherence with Telemedicine
Makaleler > Tam Makale · 2022
Yazarlar: Merve YOLDAŞ ÇELİK, Ebru CANDA, Havva YAZICI, Fehime Erdem, Sema KALKAN UÇAR, Mahmut Çöker
The Journal of Pediatric Research, Uluslararası, Scopus, 2022, cilt 9, ss 391-396
DOI: 10.4274/jpr.galenos.2022.04206
Özet
Aim: During the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, visiting the hospital and getting regular infusions can be difficult for patients with chronic illnesses.Telemedicine may offer a good option for the management of chronic diseases such as lysosomal storage diseases (LSD).Materials and Methods: LSD patients at the Unit of Metabolic Diseases of Ege University were contacted by phone between April, 2020 and March, 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.Telemedicine appointments were performed at intervals every month or three months, depending on the patients' compliance with their treatment.Results: Ninety-two LSD patients [Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) I, MPS II, MPS IVA, MPS VI, MPS VII, Gaucher, Fabry, and Pompe] were included in this study.The total skipped treatment rate within one year was 17.1%.Most of the months of interruption were consonant with the time of social isolation.The treatment interruption in patients under 18 years was lower than in patients over 18 years.A positive correlation was detected between the age of patients and the interruption of treatment.Conclusion: The curfew periods might be one of the causes of missed treatment sessions.Telemedicine is a good method to improve the continuity of treatment.This study showed that the number of interrupted enzyme replacement treatments could be decreased via ongoing telemedicine appointments.