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Awareness and Concerns Among Adult Liver Transplant Recipients in the Current
Pandemic Caused by Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): Strategies to Safeguard a
High-risk Population
#MMPMID32837094
Hakeem AR
; Padmanaban H
; Karthikeyan S
; Murugesan S
; Menon J
; Shanmugam N
; Jothimani D
; Reddy MS
; Rela M
J Clin Exp Hepatol
2020[Nov]; 10
(6
): 540-547
PMID32837094
show ga
BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus is spreading rapidly,
and there are obvious concerns for the immunocompromised patient population
including transplant recipients. Creating awareness and understanding patient
concerns will play an important role in protecting this vulnerable group in
developing timely and appropriate healthcare interventions. METHODS: A
cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 23rd March 2020 and 1st April
2020 among 154 liver transplant recipients, transplanted between October 2018 and
February 2020. An 18-point questionnaire explored their knowledge of COVID-19,
awareness of recipient's high-risk status, interventions to minimize
cross-infections, and concerns of this patient group regarding the pandemic.
RESULTS: There were 112 (73%) respondents, with median age of 53 years (81%
males). There was no difference in demographics between those who responded (n =
112) and those who did not respond to the survey (n = 42). Most of the recipients
were aware of the main symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever (92%), breathlessness
(86%), and dry cough (87%), but less than half were aware of diarrhea (39%) as a
symptom. Awareness about spread from asymptomatic individuals was limited (26%).
Majority (95%) understood their high-risk status, but worryingly, 23% of the
respondents felt that there was no risk in visiting the hospital for routine
clinic visit and blood tests. Concerns were raised by the recipients mostly
regarding the uncertainties of COVID-19 infection and its treatment options, the
quality of information on social messaging platforms, and lack of access to
routine tests/immunosuppression levels because of lockdown/social distancing.
CONCLUSIONS: Our liver transplant recipients have a reasonable awareness
regarding COVID-19. Problems in accessing the healthcare system during prolonged
periods of lockdown was a major concern. It is important for each transplant unit
to educate, support, and remain accessible to this vulnerable patient cohort as
the pandemic continues to progress worldwide.
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