The Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Quality of Life in Chronic Neurological Diseases: The Results of a COVQoL-CND Study

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and lockdown period may induce an impairment in quality of life (QoL), disruption in treatment (DIT), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in chronic neurological diseases (CNDs). To reach this information, a multicenter, cross-sectional study (COVQoL-CND) was planned. Parkinson’s disease (PD), headache (HA), multiple sclerosis (MS), epilepsy (EP), polyneuropathy (PNP), and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) were selected as the CND. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The COVQoL-CND study includes demographic data, the World Health Organization Quality of Life short form (WHOQOL-BREF), and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) forms. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The mean age of a total of 577 patients was 49 ± 17 (19–87 years), and the ratio of female/male was 352/225. The mean age of patients with PD, HA, MS, EP, PNP, and CVD were 65 ± 11, 39 ± 12, 38 ± 10, 47 ± 17, 61 ± 12, and 60 ± 15 years, respectively. The IES-R scores were found to be higher in the younger group, those with comorbid disease, contacted with CO­VID-19 patients, or diagnosed with COVID-19. In the group with a high IES-R score, the rate of DIT was found to be high. IES-R scores were negatively correlated with QoL. IES-R total scores were found highest in the CVD group and lowest in the PD group. The ratio of DIT was found highest in the PNP group and the lowest in the EP group. Contact with CO­VID-19 patients was high in the EP and HA group. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The results of the COVQoL-CND study showed that lockdown causes posttraumatic stress and deterioration in the QoL in CND.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Health-Related Quality of Life and Physical Activity of Patients in Hemodialysis

“…The literature shows a negative impact of the pandemic on several psychological aspects, including decreased HRQoL in subjects with diabetes mellitus [ 30 ] and chronic neurological diseases [ 31 ], but also in enterprises workers [ 9 ] or pregnant women [ 32 ] and even poor sleep in the general population [ 33 ].…”

Drug-Drug Interactions among Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19 in Greece

“…Clinically significant DDIs may result in ADRs and side effects that further impair patients’ health, obscuring the treatment outcome and prolonging hospitalization [ 16 , 17 ]. In the case of COVID-19, the scientific community gave an early warning of the risk for DDIs from the several applied protocols [ 14 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Even with the introduction of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid TM ), there were regulatory check lists to assist clinicians in evaluating potential DDIs and other patient factors prior to any administration [ 25 ].…”

A Literature Review of High-Tech Physiotherapy Interventions in the Elderly with Neurological Disorders

“…Social disconnection, especially in states with poor public health systems, often leads to reduced exercise and fewer physiotherapy sessions and puts additional burdens on patients with NDs which are comparable to traditional clinical risk factors [ 160 ]. Already there are early indications that these measures have a negative impact on various aspects of the life of the elderly, especially those with NDs [ 161 , 162 , 163 , 164 ]. These negative effects are enhanced for people with NDs because they need extensive care, physiotherapy, and regular activity to maintain their well-being.…”