Abstract
Objectives: To follow-up pediatric CF patients—in terms of health
status and nutritional status—via Telehealth services during the
COVID-19 pandemic. Additional aims were to measure the level of anxiety
in the patients and their parents, and to determine the COVID-19
transmission status in the CF patients. Materials and Methods: The CF
team supported the patients via remote contact, including dedicated
telephone lines. During Telehealth Services interviews, in addition to
obtaining information about the patients’ anthropometric measurements,
health status, and CF-related complaints, the State-Trait Anxiety
Inventory (STAI) was administered to the patients and the Hospital
Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) was administered to their parents.
Results: The study included 144 pediatric CF patients (74 male and 70
female). Mean age of the patients was 8.9 years. In all, 42 (29.2%) of
the patients were tested for COVID-19, of which 4 were positive. The
mean STAI score was significantly lower in the patient group than in the
control group (P < 0.001). The mean HAD anxiety score was
significantly higher in the parents of the CF patients, as compared to
the parents of the controls (P = 0.005). The mean HAD depression score
was also statistically higher in the parents of the CF patients (P
< 0.001). Conclusion: Telehealth is an innovative method for
providing healthcare services while maintaining social distancing,
avoiding the risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19. Telehealth
services reduce patients’ and parents’ anxiety, and increases their
confidence in managing CF-related complications.