AUTHOR=Aquino Lígia Tomaz de , Aguiar-Santos Ana Maria , Rocha Abraham , Coutinho Artur Vinicius de Araujo , Nascimento Mirella Silva Batista do , Moretti Eduarda Correia , Silva Fernando Leonel da , Lima Fábia Maria , Bonfim Cristine , Medeiros Zulma
TITLE=The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People With Lymphedema in an Endemic Area for Lymphatic Filariasis in Brazil
JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health
VOLUME=68
YEAR=2023
URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2023.1605317
DOI=10.3389/ijph.2023.1605317
ISSN=1661-8564
ABSTRACT=Objectives: To investigate the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on lymphedema patients from an endemic area of lymphatic filariasis.
Methods: The study descriptive compared sociodemographic and clinical aspects, risk of falling and quality of life, prior and during the COVID-19 pandemic in 28 lymphedema patients, older than 18 years old and under investigation of filarial infection. For the evaluation of functional mobility, the Time Up and Go test and The Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 Health for quality of life, was used.
Results: An increase in interdigital and dermal lesions, a higher frequency of acute dermatolymphangioadenitis crises and risk of falling, worsening of quality of life in the domains of physical functioning, general health, vitality, and mental health during the pandemic was observed.
Conclusion: Our findings of clinical worsening and quality of life of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic indicate the need to reinforce the goal of the Lymphatic Filariasis Program regarding the follow-up of these patients in the actions of the Global Program for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis, due to the discontinuity in the care during the pandemic.