COVID-19 and systemic sclerosis: analysis of lifestyle changes during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in an Italian single-center cohort

Abstract

The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 has changed the habits and lives of people worldwide. Patients affected by systemic sclerosis (SSc) experienced constant fear because of their immunocompromised status. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and to analyze the lifestyle changes in a single-center cohort of SSc patients and if these changes were more severe than in the general population. During the Italian lockdown, we supplied two surveys to our 184 SSc patients. In the first one, filled by 110 patients, we asked if SARS-CoV-2 had infected them or if they experienced signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19. The second survey, performed by 79 SSc patients and 63 healthy subjects, included questions about the lifestyle adopted during this specific period. Among our patients, COVID-19 was diagnosed only in one case, while three other subjects reported signs and symptoms suggestive for the disease. Regarding the second survey, our patients greatly changed their lifestyle during the pandemic, adopting more restrictive isolation measures, because of their awareness of frailty. To date, we do not dispose of enough data to speculate about the risk of COVID-19 among immunocompromised patients, although in our SSc patients their frailty seems to have been their shelter. Pending more accurate epidemiological studies, it is essential to share as much data as possible to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on SSc patients’ health. Key points • The lifestyle adopted by SSc patients during the first months of COVID-19 pandemic was characterized by more stringent isolation rules than general population. • The prudential behavior of patients with SSc during Italian lockdown should be considered as a possible bias when analyzing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 disease in these subjects, as well as a protective factor against infection.

The post-pandemic era: will physical distancing be a perceived way of life?

“…Studies evaluating the changes in lifestyle due to restrictions imposed as precautionary measures have been conducted across the globe. 17 , 18 However, the present study was conducted to evaluate the perceived post-pandemic lifestyle.…”

Will Physical Distancing Be the New Perceived Way of Life in the Post-Covid-19 Pandemic Era?

“…Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, lifestyles across the globe have been changed in many ways, including a change in working style, visiting public places, interaction with others, etc 24 . Literature has documented the impact on physical and mental health due to lifestyle medication from this pandemic 25,26 . However, literature is scarce regarding the information on post-pandemic perceived lifestyle.…”

Adherence to preventive measures after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and after awareness of antibody response in kidney transplant recipients in the Netherlands: a nationwide questionnaire study

“…This tight adherence has previously been described in KTRs which resulted in no self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infections, 28 and in other immunocompromised patients compared to the general population. 29 , 30 A point of discussion is the communication of antibody response and its related protection against COVID-19. A patients’ ‘awareness of antibody response’ consists of their antibody level, corresponding category of antibody response, and a (very cautiously constructed) indication of protection against COVID-19.…”