The social and clinical impact of the COVID‐19 epidemic on the Strasbourg lung transplant cohort: A single‐center retrospective cohort study

Abstract

In late December 2019, a new virus from the coronavirus family (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) was identified as a worldwide epidemic (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]). Although the clinical impact of the disease on immunocompetent patients has been well described, its consequences on populations treated with immunosuppressive (IS) drugs remain poorly understood, especially concerning solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. 1,2 To date, very few cases of lung transplant (LTx) patients affected by COVID-19 have been reported. 3-5 After lung transplantation, a long-term maintenance IS treatment is prescribed. This can lead to an increased risk of infections, especially viral infections, which are sometimes more severe than in the general

When immunosuppression and COVID‐19 intersect: An exploratory qualitative study of young lung transplant recipient perceptions of daily life during a pandemic

“…Recent research suggests that adult LTx recipients are responsive, resilient and adhere to public health measures aimed at reducing COVID‐19 transmission 12 . Similarly, we found a high level of acceptance and adherence amongst our cohort who reflected an understanding that they, as a health‐specific group, were vulnerable to COVID‐19 infection due to immunosuppression.…”

“…Recent research suggests that adult LTx recipients are responsive, resilient and adhere to public health measures aimed at reducing COVID-19 transmission. 12 Similarly, we found a high level of acceptance and adherence amongst our cohort who reflected an understanding that they, as a health-specific group, were vulnerable to COVID-19 infection due to immunosuppression. Additionally, our results suggest that adherence to restrictions may be attributed to the cohort's long-term experience of living with chronic illness and understanding the importance of minimizing infection risk.…”

“… 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 Despite a recent body of evidence documenting the impact of COVID‐19 on allograft function, the broader impact of the pandemic on the daily lives of LTx recipients has remained underexplored. 12 …”

“…[6][7][8][9][10][11] Despite a recent body of evidence documenting the impact of COVID-19 on allograft function, the broader impact of the pandemic on the daily lives of LTx recipients has remained underexplored. 12 On March 11 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. 13 This study was undertaken in the first year of the pandemic at a time when over 79 million cases and 1.7 million deaths were reported globally.…”

“…Whilst the incidence of severe illness and mortality amongst young people remains low, lung transplant (LTx) recipients experience an increased risk of infection, severe illness, hospitalization and death as a result of COVID‐19 transmission 6–11 . Despite a recent body of evidence documenting the impact of COVID‐19 on allograft function, the broader impact of the pandemic on the daily lives of LTx recipients has remained underexplored 12 …”