Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis caregiver burden and patients’ quality of life during COVID-19 pandemic
Silvia Giusiano, Laura Peotta, Barbara Iazzolino, Enza Mastro, Martina Arcari, Francesca Palumbo, Maria Claudia Torrieri, Alessandro Bombaci, Maurizio Grassano, Sara Cabras, Francesca Di Pede, Filippo DeMattei, Enrico Matteoni, Luca Solero, Margherita Daviddi, Paolina Salamone, Giuseppe Fuda, Umberto Manera, Antonio Canosa, Adriano Chiò, Andrea Calvo, Cristina Moglia, Rosario Vasta
Abstract
: Restricted measures of lockdown period during COVID-19 pandemic did not result in a significant reduction of QoL in our cohort of ALS patients, while caregiver burden significantly increased. ALS motor impairment may have played a role in the unchanged life conditions of patients. Instead, the restriction of family help for primary caregivers could be responsible of their increased burden, reflecting the importance of a wide social support in the management of this clinical condition.