The social and occupational consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with multiple sclerosis in three distinct populations: A web-based cross-sectional survey

Background: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the disease COVID-19, has caused a pandemic that has rapidly affected the whole world and caused a significant threat to public health. The aim of this study was to investigate and analyze the social and...

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Main Authors: G.-X. Zhang, R.-Z. Zhao, W.-T. Zhang, W.-J. Yu, X.-J. Zhang, S.-S. Gao, I.R.O. Leal, A. Carrilllo-Vico, M.C. Toledo, Z.L. O'Farrill, R.P. Amoedo, J.-Y. Zhu, G. Zhao, G. Izquierdo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022-01-01
Series:Neurology Perspectives
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667049621000697
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author G.-X. Zhang
R.-Z. Zhao
W.-T. Zhang
W.-J. Yu
X.-J. Zhang
S.-S. Gao
I.R.O. Leal
A. Carrilllo-Vico
M.C. Toledo
Z.L. O'Farrill
R.P. Amoedo
J.-Y. Zhu
G. Zhao
G. Izquierdo
author_facet G.-X. Zhang
R.-Z. Zhao
W.-T. Zhang
W.-J. Yu
X.-J. Zhang
S.-S. Gao
I.R.O. Leal
A. Carrilllo-Vico
M.C. Toledo
Z.L. O'Farrill
R.P. Amoedo
J.-Y. Zhu
G. Zhao
G. Izquierdo
author_sort G.-X. Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Background: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the disease COVID-19, has caused a pandemic that has rapidly affected the whole world and caused a significant threat to public health. The aim of this study was to investigate and analyze the social and occupational effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in three different countries: China, Spain, and Cuba. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was designed to assess the social and occupational effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in MS patients in these three countries, using a 25-item anonymous online questionnaire, structured into three sections. Quantitative data are expressed as mean (standard deviation), and quantitative data as absolute frequency and percentage. Results: A total of 361 participants responded to the questionnaire: 194 from China, 104 from Spain, and 63 from Cuba. We found no cases of COVID-19 among Chinese patients with MS, and few cases in Spain and Cuba. Respondents reported different levels of impact on relationships with friends, family, and colleagues, and patients in all three countries described increased use of digital or social media platforms. Spanish patients reported a significantly less negative impact than those in Cuba and China. Mental and cognitive effects were similar in all three countries, although China seemed to have a better situation. We also found that the time spent exercising decreased at specific points during the pandemic, but with few changes in dietary habits. Patients reported little or no change in their means of transport in all three countries. Most patients in all three countries reported little or no physical deterioration, especially in Chinese patients (82.47%), compared to the Spanish (70.20%) and Cuban respondents (73.02%). In general, patients from all three countries demonstrated confidence in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic, although to a lesser extent among Spanish respondents. Conclusions: During the pandemic, family support was more effective in China than in Cuba and Spain. Neither COVID-19 infections nor the number of MS relapses increased significantly during lockdown in any of the three countries. Regarding their economic situation, Spanish MS patients reported a significantly less severe negative impact than those in Cuba and China. Patients from all three countries used digital or social media platforms more frequently, probably to maintain personal relationships. Chinese and Cuban respondents were more confident of the control of the pandemic than the Spanish, who were more pessimistic. Resumen: Introducción: El nuevo coronavirus de tipo 2, causante del síndrome respiratorio agudo severo o COVID-19, se ha expandido rápidamente a nivel mundial, convirtiéndose en una grave amenaza para la salud pública en forma de pandemia. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los efectos sociolaborales de la pandemia de COVID-19 en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple (EM) en 3 países diferentes (China, España y Cuba). Métodos: Diseñamos un estudio transversal para valorar los efectos sociolaborales de la pandemia de COVID-19 en pacientes con EM procedentes de China, España y Cuba mediante un cuestionario digital de 25 preguntas divididas en 3 apartados. Los datos cuantitativos se expresan como medias y desviaciones estándar, mientras que los datos cualitativos se expresan mediante valores y porcentajes. Resultados: Un total de 361 pacientes respondieron al cuestionario (194 de China, 104 de España y 63 de Cuba). No encontramos ningún paciente chino con EM que hubiera padecido COVID-19, y los casos diagnosticados en España y Cuba fueron muy infrecuentes. A raíz de la pandemia, se observaron cambios en las relaciones con amigos, familiares y compañeros; además, los pacientes con EM usaron plataformas digitales y redes sociales con más frecuencia en los 3 países. El impacto negativo fue significativamente menor en España que en Cuba o China. Los efectos mentales y cognitivos de la pandemia fueron similares en los 3 países, aunque parece que la situación previa era mejor en China. Igualmente, observamos que el tiempo dedicado al ejercicio se redujo en momentos específicos durante la pandemia. Por el contrario, no se detectaron grandes cambios en los hábitos alimentarios. Los pacientes de los 3 países consideraron que no se produjeron cambios en su medio de transporte, o que estos fueron escasos. La mayoría de los pacientes ha experimentado poco o ningún deterioro físico, particularmente los pacientes chinos (82,47%) en comparación con los españoles (70,20%) y cubanos (73,02%). En líneas generales, todos los pacientes se mostraron esperanzados en superar la pandemia, aunque los pacientes españoles en menor grado. Conclusiones: Durante la pandemia, el apoyo familiar fue más importante en China que en Cuba o España. En ninguno de los 3 países se observó un aumento significativo en el número de casos de COVID-19 ni de brotes o recaídas durante el periodo de confinamiento. En términos económicos, los pacientes con EM españoles sufrieron un impacto negativo significativamente menor que los cubanos y chinos. Todos los pacientes usaron plataformas digitales o redes sociales con más frecuencia, probablemente con el fin de mantener relaciones personales. Los pacientes chinos y cubanos mostraron mayor confianza en el control de la pandemia que los españoles, que resultaron ser más pesimistas.
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spelling doaj.art-7aaa2f3c556042ef9c4e9b4d8cc92f472022-12-22T02:47:29ZengElsevierNeurology Perspectives2667-04962022-01-0121920The social and occupational consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with multiple sclerosis in three distinct populations: A web-based cross-sectional surveyG.-X. Zhang0R.-Z. Zhao1W.-T. Zhang2W.-J. Yu3X.-J. Zhang4S.-S. Gao5I.R.O. Leal6A. Carrilllo-Vico7M.C. Toledo8Z.L. O'Farrill9R.P. Amoedo10J.-Y. Zhu11G. Zhao12G. Izquierdo13Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Neurology Service, Vithas Nisa Hospital, Seville, Spain; Department of Neurology, Yan'an University Medical College, No.3 Affiliated Hospital, Shaanxi, China; International Doctoral School, University of Seville, Seville, SpainDepartment of Ophthalmology, Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital, Havana, CubaInternational Doctoral School, University of Seville, Seville, SpainDepartment of Neurology, Yan'an University Medical College, No.3 Affiliated Hospital, Shaanxi, China; Northwestern University Medical College, Shaanxi, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Yan'an University Medical College, No.3 Affiliated Hospital, Shaanxi, ChinaInternational Doctoral School, University of Seville, Seville, SpainDepartment of Neurology, Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital, Havana, CubaInstitute of Biomedicine of Seville, IBiS (University of Seville, HUVR, Government of Andalusia, CSIC), Seville, Spain; Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Immunology, University of Seville, Seville, SpainDepartment of Ophthalmology, Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital, Havana, CubaDepartment of Neurology, Institute of Neurology, Havana, CubaMultiple Sclerosis Unit, Neurology Service, Vithas Nisa Hospital, Seville, SpainDepartment of Neurology, Yan'an University Medical College, No.3 Affiliated Hospital, Shaanxi, ChinaNorthwestern University Medical College, Shaanxi, ChinaMultiple Sclerosis Unit, Neurology Service, Vithas Nisa Hospital, Seville, Spain; Corresponding author at: Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Neurology Service, Vithas Nisa Hospital, Seville, Spain.Background: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the disease COVID-19, has caused a pandemic that has rapidly affected the whole world and caused a significant threat to public health. The aim of this study was to investigate and analyze the social and occupational effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in three different countries: China, Spain, and Cuba. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was designed to assess the social and occupational effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in MS patients in these three countries, using a 25-item anonymous online questionnaire, structured into three sections. Quantitative data are expressed as mean (standard deviation), and quantitative data as absolute frequency and percentage. Results: A total of 361 participants responded to the questionnaire: 194 from China, 104 from Spain, and 63 from Cuba. We found no cases of COVID-19 among Chinese patients with MS, and few cases in Spain and Cuba. Respondents reported different levels of impact on relationships with friends, family, and colleagues, and patients in all three countries described increased use of digital or social media platforms. Spanish patients reported a significantly less negative impact than those in Cuba and China. Mental and cognitive effects were similar in all three countries, although China seemed to have a better situation. We also found that the time spent exercising decreased at specific points during the pandemic, but with few changes in dietary habits. Patients reported little or no change in their means of transport in all three countries. Most patients in all three countries reported little or no physical deterioration, especially in Chinese patients (82.47%), compared to the Spanish (70.20%) and Cuban respondents (73.02%). In general, patients from all three countries demonstrated confidence in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic, although to a lesser extent among Spanish respondents. Conclusions: During the pandemic, family support was more effective in China than in Cuba and Spain. Neither COVID-19 infections nor the number of MS relapses increased significantly during lockdown in any of the three countries. Regarding their economic situation, Spanish MS patients reported a significantly less severe negative impact than those in Cuba and China. Patients from all three countries used digital or social media platforms more frequently, probably to maintain personal relationships. Chinese and Cuban respondents were more confident of the control of the pandemic than the Spanish, who were more pessimistic. Resumen: Introducción: El nuevo coronavirus de tipo 2, causante del síndrome respiratorio agudo severo o COVID-19, se ha expandido rápidamente a nivel mundial, convirtiéndose en una grave amenaza para la salud pública en forma de pandemia. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los efectos sociolaborales de la pandemia de COVID-19 en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple (EM) en 3 países diferentes (China, España y Cuba). Métodos: Diseñamos un estudio transversal para valorar los efectos sociolaborales de la pandemia de COVID-19 en pacientes con EM procedentes de China, España y Cuba mediante un cuestionario digital de 25 preguntas divididas en 3 apartados. Los datos cuantitativos se expresan como medias y desviaciones estándar, mientras que los datos cualitativos se expresan mediante valores y porcentajes. Resultados: Un total de 361 pacientes respondieron al cuestionario (194 de China, 104 de España y 63 de Cuba). No encontramos ningún paciente chino con EM que hubiera padecido COVID-19, y los casos diagnosticados en España y Cuba fueron muy infrecuentes. A raíz de la pandemia, se observaron cambios en las relaciones con amigos, familiares y compañeros; además, los pacientes con EM usaron plataformas digitales y redes sociales con más frecuencia en los 3 países. El impacto negativo fue significativamente menor en España que en Cuba o China. Los efectos mentales y cognitivos de la pandemia fueron similares en los 3 países, aunque parece que la situación previa era mejor en China. Igualmente, observamos que el tiempo dedicado al ejercicio se redujo en momentos específicos durante la pandemia. Por el contrario, no se detectaron grandes cambios en los hábitos alimentarios. Los pacientes de los 3 países consideraron que no se produjeron cambios en su medio de transporte, o que estos fueron escasos. La mayoría de los pacientes ha experimentado poco o ningún deterioro físico, particularmente los pacientes chinos (82,47%) en comparación con los españoles (70,20%) y cubanos (73,02%). En líneas generales, todos los pacientes se mostraron esperanzados en superar la pandemia, aunque los pacientes españoles en menor grado. Conclusiones: Durante la pandemia, el apoyo familiar fue más importante en China que en Cuba o España. En ninguno de los 3 países se observó un aumento significativo en el número de casos de COVID-19 ni de brotes o recaídas durante el periodo de confinamiento. En términos económicos, los pacientes con EM españoles sufrieron un impacto negativo significativamente menor que los cubanos y chinos. Todos los pacientes usaron plataformas digitales o redes sociales con más frecuencia, probablemente con el fin de mantener relaciones personales. Los pacientes chinos y cubanos mostraron mayor confianza en el control de la pandemia que los españoles, que resultaron ser más pesimistas.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667049621000697COVID-19Esclerosis múltipleConsecuenciasPandemia
spellingShingle G.-X. Zhang
R.-Z. Zhao
W.-T. Zhang
W.-J. Yu
X.-J. Zhang
S.-S. Gao
I.R.O. Leal
A. Carrilllo-Vico
M.C. Toledo
Z.L. O'Farrill
R.P. Amoedo
J.-Y. Zhu
G. Zhao
G. Izquierdo
The social and occupational consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with multiple sclerosis in three distinct populations: A web-based cross-sectional survey
Neurology Perspectives
COVID-19
Esclerosis múltiple
Consecuencias
Pandemia
title The social and occupational consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with multiple sclerosis in three distinct populations: A web-based cross-sectional survey
title_full The social and occupational consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with multiple sclerosis in three distinct populations: A web-based cross-sectional survey
title_fullStr The social and occupational consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with multiple sclerosis in three distinct populations: A web-based cross-sectional survey
title_full_unstemmed The social and occupational consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with multiple sclerosis in three distinct populations: A web-based cross-sectional survey
title_short The social and occupational consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with multiple sclerosis in three distinct populations: A web-based cross-sectional survey
title_sort social and occupational consequences of the covid 19 pandemic among patients with multiple sclerosis in three distinct populations a web based cross sectional survey
topic COVID-19
Esclerosis múltiple
Consecuencias
Pandemia
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667049621000697
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