1. Effect of Statewide Lockdown in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity Levels of Hemodialysis Patients.
- Author
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Han, Maggie, Preciado, Priscila, Thwin, Ohnmar, Tao, Xia, Tapia-Silva, Leticia M., Fuentes, Lemuel Rivera, Hakim, Mohamad, Patel, Amrish, Tisdale, Lela, Zhang, Hanjie, and Kotanko, Peter
- Subjects
COVID-19 pandemic ,PHYSICAL activity ,HEMODIALYSIS patients ,STAY-at-home orders ,COVID-19 - Abstract
Background/Objectives: On March 22, 2020, a statewide stay-at-home order for nonessential tasks was implemented in New York State. We aimed to determine the impact of the lockdown on physical activity levels (PAL) in hemodialysis patients. Methods: Starting in May 2018, we are conducting an observational study with a 1-year follow-up on PAL in patients from 4 hemodialysis clinics in New York City. Patients active in the study as of March 22, 2020, were included. PAL was defined by steps taken per day measured by a wrist-based monitoring device (Fitbit Charge 2). Average steps/day were calculated for January 1 to February 13, 2020, and then weekly from February 14 to June 30. Results: 42 patients were included. Their mean age was 55 years, 79% were males, and 69% were African Americans. Between January 1 and February 13, 2020, patients took on average 5,963 (95% CI 4,909–7,017) steps/day. In the week prior to the mandated lockdown, when a national emergency was declared, and in the week of the shutdown, the average number of daily steps had decreased by 868 steps/day (95% CI 213–1,722) and 1,222 steps/day (95% CI 668–2300), respectively. Six patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the study period. Five of them exhibited significantly higher PAL in the 2 weeks prior to showing COVID-19 symptoms compared to COVID-19 negative patients. Conclusion: Lockdown measures were associated with a significant decrease in PAL in hemodialysis patients. Patients who contracted COVID-19 had higher PAL during the incubation period. Methods to increase PAL while allowing for social distancing should be explored and implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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