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The improvement in school aged children with asthma during the Covid-19 pandemic
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  • Zülfikar Akelma,
  • Nevzat Başkaya,
  • Sema Cetin,
  • Ilknur Bostanci,
  • Serap Ozmen
Zülfikar Akelma
Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Nevzat Başkaya
University of Health Sciences, Dr. Sami Ulus, Maternity Child Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital,
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Sema Cetin
SBU Ankara Dr Sami Ulus Maternity Child Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital
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Ilknur Bostanci
Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Research Hospital
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Serap Ozmen
Dr. Sami Ulus Woman's Health and Children Education and Research Hospital
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Abstract

Introduction: A number of measures were began due to coronavirus 2019 disease (Covid-19) pandemic in many countries worldwide. A lockdown was applied for aged <18 years, education was continued online, and wearing a mask became mandatory in public places, which created an unprecedented period for children. Real-life data is limited showing how children with asthma are affected due to major changes. This study reveal how asthmatic children are affected by pandemic conditions based on real-life data. Methods: Patients with asthma aged 6–18 years who were followed up in March, April, and May 2019—before the Covid-19 pandemic—were included in the study. Data from March-April-May 2020 and 2019 were compared to reveal the effects of the pandemic-related lifestyle changes on symptoms, frequency of exacerbations, and drug use in asthmatic children. Results: A total of 86 children with asthma aged 6–18 years were included in this study. Time spent inside the home was significantly higher in 2020 than in 2019. Need for rescue medications and emergency department visits were significantly lower in 2020 compared to 2019 (p<0.001). The number of well controlled patients with asthma was higher in 2020 than in 2019 (p < 0.0001). Number of patients using prophylactic drugs within the last 3 months was lower in 2020 compared to 2019 (p = 0.007). Conclusion: The present study provides valuable insights into the condition of children over the age of 6 years during the Covid-19 pandemic based on real-life data. During the pandemic period, the number of asthmatic exacerbations, rescue drug use and asthma control were positively affected in school aged children with asthma.
12 Jan 2022Submitted to Pediatric Pulmonology
13 Jan 2022Submission Checks Completed
13 Jan 2022Assigned to Editor
27 Jan 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
05 May 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 May 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major
20 May 20221st Revision Received
20 May 2022Submission Checks Completed
20 May 2022Assigned to Editor
20 May 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
09 Jun 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 Jun 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
10 Jun 20222nd Revision Received
16 Jun 2022Submission Checks Completed
16 Jun 2022Assigned to Editor
16 Jun 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Jun 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Jul 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
14 Jul 2022Published in Pediatric Pulmonology. 10.1002/ppul.26068