HOW CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE PATIENTS WERE AFFECTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Objective: In the study, it was investigated how chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Method: COPD patients followed up by our clinic were called by phone and a questionnaire was applied. Complaints, applications to health institutions, use of masks, smoking and weight change, etc. were included in the questionnaire. Six questions of "The Peritraumatic Distress Inventory", which is used to measure stress during disasters, were also included in the questionnaire. Also, Hospital Anxiety/Depression scale was applied and compared with the pre-pandemic values. The data were analyzed in the SPSS program. Results: The mean age of 101 COPD patients included in the study was 64.9. During the pandemic period;17.8% of patients have various complaints and, 77% of these patients hesitated and did not go to the health institution. One of the patients was hospitalized and three of them were taken to outpatient treatment. No one was diagnosed with COVID-19. During the pandemic period; 95.5% of the patients used masks outside the home. Weight gain was found in 47.5% of cases. One third of smokers reduced their amount of cigarettes. The rate of psychological deterioration (who experience at least one of six anxiety/symptoms) was 34.7%. The rate of fear of contamination with COVID-19 was 22.8%, the rate of "fear of death" was 8.9%. Anxiety/ depression scores and rates increased compared to the prepandemic levels, especially depression. Conclusions: During the pandemic; COPD patients gained weight. Their concerns and anxiety/depression scores increased. It will be useful to evaluate COPD patients in terms of aiuciery/depression and weight when applying to the clinic. The majority of COPD patients avoided going to a healthcare services due to contamination concerns, despite their complaints. If the pandemic process is prolonged, it is possible that we will encounter problems in COPD treatment and control.