The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety levels of children with cystic fibrosis and healthy children

Abstract

Introduction: First case of COVID-19 infection has been confirmed in Turkey as of March 11, 2020 and Turkish government has ordered a nation-wide school closure and lockdown for people younger than 20 years old by 1st of April. School closure and home confinement might have adverse effects on children’s physical and mental health. In this study, we aimed to compare the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on psychological reactions and coping of CF patients and healthy controls.

Methods: This is a controlled cross-sectional study including 7-18 year-old children with CF. The survey included questions regarding family environment and peer relations, self care and psychological reactions to COVID-19 pandemic. The data was collected between 30th April, 2020 and 15 th of May, at which time COVID-19 started to peak in our country. The questionnaire was applied to children via telephone call under parental supervision.

Results: We evaluated 132 CF patients and 135 their healthy peers. Mean age was 11.5±2.9 years in CF group and 11.8±3.2 years in control group (p=0.98). There were 55 girls (41.7%) in CF group and 81 girls (60%) in control group (p=0.027). The socioeconomic status of families was similar. CF patients was feeling less anxious about the COVID-19 pandemic compared to controls (p=0.01). CF patients were found to be less anxious for family members having the risk of COVID-19, less upset for school closure, less anxious about the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001, 0.02, 0.01 respectively).

Conclusion: CF patients seem to show more resilience in coping with the pandemic. Appropriate psychological support should be provided to them and resilience strategies in coping with the pandemic should be nurtured.