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COVID‐19 pandemic deteriorates aftercare attendance in heart transplant recipients independently of perceived impact on social life
Author(s) -
Oehler Daniel,
Bruno Raphael Romano,
Kelm Malte,
Lichtenberg Artur,
Boeken Udo,
Westenfeld Ralf
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
transplant infectious disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.69
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1399-3062
pISSN - 1398-2273
DOI - 10.1111/tid.13844
Subject(s) - medicine , pandemic , covid-19 , attendance , intensive care medicine , gerontology , virology , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , economics , economic growth , outbreak
Background Heart transplant (HTx) recipients are at an increased risk of developing infections or malignancies due to immunosuppressive medication. Thus, regular aftercare in those patients is of utmost importance. The extent of collateral damage due to the COVID‐19 pandemic (delayed or canceled clinical visits and diagnostics) on high‐risk patients is yet unknown. We believe that, especially for HTx‐patients, data acquisition on potential pandemic‐related nonattendance is crucial to improve clinical care in the future. Therefore, we aim to decipher possible COVID‐19‐related alterations in attendance to clinical care after HTx using a survey‐based approach. Methods HTx recipients, 2 years beyond transplantation were selected (n = 75). We filed a paper‐based questionnaire or an online survey containing nine items about COVID‐19‐related exceptional circumstances. Fifty‐two patients (69%) returned fully answered questionnaires. Results A perceived impact on daily life was evident with 79% of all patients, reporting a moderate‐to‐severe negative influence of the COVID‐19 pandemic on daily routine. We detected increased nonattendance of clinical care during the COVID‐19 pandemic compared to prepandemic time (38 vs. 6%, p < .0001). The various diagnostic modalities of aftercare were heterogeneously affected, ranging from 2% nonattendance for influence vaccination and 18% for colonoscopy. Off note, nonattendance to clinical care within the pandemic was independent of perceived impact of the pandemia on daily life ( p > .68). Conclusions For the first time, we objectively demonstrate a significant decrease in attendance to clinical care in HTx recipients during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Efforts are needed to increase attendance in this highly vulnerable patient cohort.