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Open Access 01-12-2022 | SARS-CoV-2 | Research article

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health status and care of adults with epilepsy in Germany

Authors: Kimberly Körbel, Felix Rosenow, Margarita Maltseva, Heiko Müller, Juliane Schulz, Panagiota-Eleni Tsalouchidou, Lisa Langenbruch, Stjepana Kovac, Katja Menzler, Mario Hamacher, Felix von Podewils, Laurent M. Willems, Catrin Mann, Adam Strzelczyk

Published in: Neurological Research and Practice | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Background

To mitigate the potential consequences of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on public life, the German Federal Government and Ministry of Health enacted a strict lockdown protocol on March 16, 2020. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health status and the supply of medical care and medications for people with epilepsy (PWE) in Germany.

Methods

The Epi2020 study was a large, multicenter study focused on different healthcare aspects of adults with epilepsy. In addition to clinical and demographic characteristics, patients were asked to answer a questionnaire on the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic between March and May 2020. Furthermore, the population-based number of epilepsy-related admissions in Hessen was evaluated for the January-June periods of 2017–2020 to detect pandemic-related changes.

Results

During the first wave of the pandemic, 41.6% of PWE reported a negative impact on their mental health, while only a minority reported worsening of their seizure situation. Mental and physical health were significantly more negatively affected in women than men with epilepsy and in PWE without regular employment. Moreover, difficulties in ensuring the supply of sanitary products (25.8%) and antiseizure medications (ASMs; 19.9%) affected PWE during the first lockdown; no significant difference regarding these impacts between men and women or between people with and without employment was observed. The number of epilepsy-related admissions decreased significantly during the first wave.

Conclusions

This analysis provides an overview of the general and medical care of epilepsy patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. PWE in our cohort frequently reported psychosocial distress during the first wave of the pandemic, with significant adverse effects on mental and physical health. Women and people without permanent jobs especially reported distress due to the pandemic. The COVID‐19 pandemic has added to the mental health burden and barriers to accessing medication and medical services, as self-reported by patients and verified in population-based data on hospital admissions.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), DRKS00022024. Registered October 2, 2020, http://www.drks.de/DRKS00022024

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Title: Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health status and care of adults with epilepsy in Germany
Authors: Kimberly Körbel
Felix Rosenow
Margarita Maltseva
Heiko Müller
Juliane Schulz
Panagiota-Eleni Tsalouchidou
Lisa Langenbruch
Stjepana Kovac
Katja Menzler
Mario Hamacher
Felix von Podewils
Laurent M. Willems
Catrin Mann
Adam Strzelczyk
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2
Care
COVID-19
Epilepsy
Published in: Neurological Research and Practice / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 2524-3489
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s42466-022-00209-5

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health status and care of adults with epilepsy in Germany

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

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