COVID-19 lockdown: impact on liver transplant recipients - a single centre survey

ABSTRACT

We conducted a short survey amongst liver transplant recipients to assess the impact and challenges faced during COVID-19 lockdown. Results were analysed using SPSS V 17.0. Chi-square test was utilized to compare variables between the two time periods. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. We conducted a short survey amongst liver transplant recipients to assess the impact and challenges faced during COVID-19 lockdown. Results were analysed using SPSS V 17.0. Chi-square test was utilized to compare variables between the two time periods. Whereas, physical exercise (84.5[%] vs 71.4[%], P=0.04), occupation (53.6[%] vs 23.8[%], P=0.00), problems accessing pharmacy (2.4[%] vs 38.1[%], P=0.00), access to emergency doctors (95.2[%] vs 77.4[%], P=0.00), laboratory investigations (98.8[%] vs 46.4[%], P=0.00) and transplant centre (95.2[%] vs 78.6[%], P=0.00) were significantly affected during the lockdown period. Lockdown has significantly affected physical exercise of transplant recipients and the reasons were 'scared of COVID-19' and 'lack of space for exercise'. In patients who carried out physical exercise, the majority (68 patients) switched to indoor walking. Twenty-five (32.6[%]) patients reported a median 3 (1-5) kilograms weight gain in 3 weeks;75[%] of them gained more than 2 kilograms during the same period. Thirty-two (38.0[%]) patients reported difficult accessibility to pharmacy and commonly reported reasons were 'non-availability of immunosuppressive drugs' (17 patients) and 'lack of transport' (15 patients). Similarly, patients who were unable to carry out laboratory tests reasoned out 'accessibility and transport challenges. With accessibility to local emergency doctors and transplant centre most patients reported, 'no necessity at present'. WHO recommended measures of self-hygiene to reduce COVID-19, such as regular hand washing, wearing mask, social distancing was carried out by 82 (97.6[%]), 45 (53.6[%]) and 80 (95.2[%]), respectively. Interestingly only 23 (46.9[%]) were confined indoors during the lockdown period.