Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Treatment Adherence Among Children With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study determined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on adherence to medication among children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). METHODS: Data were collected from April 2020 to April 2022 through face-to-face or telephonic interviews at a virtual paediatric endocrine clinic in Jeddah, KSA. RESULTS: A total of 55 children, with a mean age of 12.9 ± 5.8 years, participated in the study. Most children (32/55, 58%) were administered treatment by their mother. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 51 patients (93%) reported adhering to their CAH treatment. After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, this number decreased to 49 (89%, p = 0.516). The most common reasons for non-adherence before and after the pandemic included restricted access to medication (supply and financial problems) and challenges in obtaining new prescriptions and refills. These challenges increased after the onset of the pandemic. Before and after the onset of the pandemic, mothers with a university degree were significantly more likely to administer medication than mothers without a university degree, but fathers' education level did not affect their role in medication administration, before or after the onset of the pandemic. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that the COVID-19 pandemic did not have a significant effect on medication adherence in children with CAH in Jeddah.