Evaluation of Patients Treated With Omalizumab (Anti-Ige) During The Pandemic Period

Abstract

Objective: There are few studies investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients using omalizumab. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our patients who have been treating with omalizumab.

Material and Methods: From two centers, a total of 20 patients participated in the study. A questionnaire, consisting of 45 questions prepared by our department, and a visual analogue scale (0: minimum, 10: maximum) were applied face-to-face to the patients.

Results: It was observed that six patients (30%) did not continue their omalizumab treatment during the pandemic period. While 90% (n=18) of the patients were wearing masks, 85% (n=17) stated that they paid attention to social distance. In our study, the frequency of COVID-19 infection in patients using omalizumab was 10% (n=2). With the pandemic, while our patients’ working-study habits were affected negatively (n=10, 50%), their appetite increased (n=8, 40%), and it was noted that there have been changes in their sleep patterns (n=8, 40%).

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected our patients’ treatments and follow-ups. Our results support the argument that the use of omalizumab does not increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Keywords

• asthma
• COVID-19
• urticaria
• omalizumab

Pandemi Döneminde Omalizumab Tedavisi Alan Hastaların Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Omalizumab kullanan hastalarda COVİD-19 pandemisinin etkisini araştıran az sayıda çalışma bulunmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, omalizumab tedavisi alan hastalarımızda COVİD-19 pandemisinin etkilerinin araştırılması amaçlandı.

Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışmaya iki merkezden toplam 20 hasta katıldı. Hastalara tarafımızca hazırlanan 45 sorudan oluşan anket ve görsel analog skala (0: minimum, 10: maksimum) yüz yüze uygulandı.

Bulgular: Altı hastanın (%30) pandemi döneminde omalizumab tedavisine devam etmediği görüldü. Hastaların %90’ı (n=18) maske takıyorken, %85’i (n=17) sosyal mesafeye dikkat ettiğini belirtti. Çalışmamızda omalizumab kullanan hastalarda COVİD-19 enfeksiyon sıklığı %10 (n=2)’di. Pandemi ile hastalarımızın ders çalışma alışkanlıkları olumsuz etkilenirken (n=10, %50), iştahlarının arttığı (n=8, %40) ve uyku düzeninde değişiklikler (n=8, %40) olduğu tespit edildi.

Sonuç: COVİD-19 pandemisi hastalarımızın tedavi ve takiplerini önemli ölçüde etkilemiştir. Sonuçlarımız, omalizumab kullanımının COVİD-19 enfeksiyonu riskini artırmadığı görüşünü desteklemektedir.

Keywords

• Astım
• COVİD-19
• Ürtiker
• omalizumab

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