Perceived Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Management and Symptoms in a High Risk Group

The Swiss population underwent a period of confinement related to the COVID-19 pandemic (March 16 to May 11, 2020) decided by the Swiss Federal Government. Among the Swiss population, certain groups were identified as vulnerable subjects by the Federal Office of Public Health. This study focuses on the perceived impact of this period on health care and health status in a specific vulnerable group: patients under long term noninvasive ventilation (respiratory support) at home for chronic respiratory failure.

The objective is to determine, in a specific vulnerable group, how the confinement related to the COVID-19 pandemic affected health care and health status, as perceived by the patients.

The primary outcome is a questionnaire focusing on practical health care issues regarding respiratory support, health status and perception of the COVID-19 issue:

• Symptom score (related to noninvasive ventilation: NIV)
• Thymic disturbances (score of anxiety and depression)
• Compliance to treatment (assessed via tele-monitoring: routine procedure)

It is a non-interventional questionnaire-based observational study of patients followed by the Division of Pulmonology of Geneva University Hospitals with home NIV, aged above 18 years of age and in a stable clinical condition.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients followed by the Division of Pulmonology of Geneva University Hospitals with home NIV
• Aged above 18 years of age
• Stable clinical condition

Exclusion criteria

• Age below 18 years of age
• Unwillingness to participate
• Unstable clinical condition