Being a Myeloproliferative Patient in COVID-19 Era: The Mytico Study

Abstract

IntroductionThe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the resulting social distancing, determined a reduction in access to care and limitations of individual freedom, with a consequent strong impact on quality of life (QoL), anxiety levels and medical management of onco-hematological people. In particular, in the case of patients with chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), concern about SARS-CoV-2 infection added to the burden of symptoms (BS) which already weights on the QoL of these patients. We designed a cross-sectional survey in order to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on status of anxiety, BS and QoL in MPN patients.MethodsWe analyzed the anxiety levels using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS); BS modifications were studied using the 18 items of the Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form [MPN-SAF].Results132 people answered to the survey: 27 (20.4%) patients achieved a moderate to marked anxiety index value: this group described a greater worsening of symptoms than the rest of the cohort (p <0.0001). Women showed a higher level of anxiety than men (p = 0.01). A trend for lower level of anxiety was reported by patients who performed habitual physical activity (p = 0.06). A total of 98 (74.2%) patients described worsening of their symptoms during the quarantine period; 94 (71.2%) patients had postponed appointments or visits: they showed a significant worsening of their BS (p =0.01).ConclusionThis study first showed that the COVID-19 quarantine had a significant negative impact on the level of anxiety and BS in MPN patients. We identified female gender, absence of physical activity, the need for frequent visit to the hospital and the absence of a direct access to healthcare staff as the main factors associated to a higher anxiety index and worst BS.

Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Supply in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease

“…Our data confirm the assumption that physical activity acts as a protective factor, preventing chronically ill patients from developing threatening fears, such as limited medical care during COVID-19 pandemic or from postponing medical appointments. Previous studies showed a correlation between higher anxiety and depression levels and a lack of physical activity ( 35 ), suggesting that increased physical activity might lower the psychological burden in ACHD patients, resulting in less canceled appointments and a higher satisfaction with the level of medical treatment. Moreover, it was described that doing sports according to patients individual physical capacity has a direct positive effect on their health by reducing inflammatory markers and BMI ( 42 ).…”

“…In our study, postponed medical appointments were independently predicted by female sex. During the COVID-19 pandemic observed sex disparities derived from the general population point to a higher vulnerability of women to develop depressive and anxiety symptoms ( 35 ).…”