https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8678-2554
![Sample our Behavioral Sciences journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110801/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Behavioral-Sciences.jpg"})
Abstract
Introduction
The global severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic had a drastic psychological and economic impact on the global population. Having a chronic disease during the pandemic is associated with numerous limitations and challenges like regular hospital visits, access to health-care units and getting specialized treatment. In addition, chronically ill patients are at great risk of acquiring the SARS-CoV-2 virus and at experiencing a more severe course of illness, due to comorbid conditions as well as more frequent encounters with health-care workers and other patients in medical facilities. The aim of this study was to examine the psychological disturbances, during the pandemic in chronically ill patients.
Methods
During the cross-sectional survey conducted between May and October 2020, 398 patients with four different chronic conditions (psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and patients who have undergone a kidney transplant or received dialysis). Study sample was examined regarding the occurrence of psychopathological symptoms (General Health Questionnaire 28) and their perceived stress levels (Perceived Stress Scale).
Results
The highest scores were found in the MS group and the lowest scores were found in the kidney transplantation group in every subscale of the GHQ-28. Close to half of the studied population (48.74%, n = 193) patients scored above the cut-off for psychopathology.
Conclusion
As the study was conducted during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Poland, it stands to reason that the pandemic affected the psychological wellbeing of chronically ill patients. A COVID-19 infection, being quarantined and having had contact with a person who was infected, did not significantly affect the outcome measures; however, further research is needed to explore this topic.
Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate
The study was approved by the local Bioethical Committee at the Wroclaw Medical University (KB-468/2020; KB-469/2020; KB-470/2020; KB-417/2020). Participation in the survey was voluntary and without any financial compensation. Anonymity of the responses was maintained throughout the collection and storage of data. Informed consent form to participate in the study and allow procession of data for research purposes was provided in the initial part of the questionnaire. Its confirmation in online version was necessary to proceed with responding and submitting the questionnaire. In printed version the consent was confirmed by signing the form and completion of the questionnaire. Our study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki.
Data Sharing Statement
The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Disclosure
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.