Table 2 Positive vs negative effects of COVID-19 pandemic on AATD treatment management

Positive efects of COVID-19 on AATD treatment

Breakdown of existing administrative barriers, thus facilitating home delivery of medication and home-based therapy

Positive change of attitude and convincement for both patients and healthcare professionals with respect to auto-administration of replacement treatment

Lower incidence of influenza and other respiratory viruses because of the lockdown and COVID-19-related measures

Increase in smoking cessation

Negative efects of COVID-19 on AATD treatment

Decline in blood donations due to the security measures adopted by hospitals, redistribution of resources, high pressure of critical patient care and reluctance to donate blood, among other reasons

Delays on treatment due to healthcare services saturation, leading some patients to follow a suboptimal treatment regimen

Increased difficulties in instructing patients to change inhalers and escalate treatments

Increased difficulty in assessing lung transplantations

Changes in lifestyle related to lockdown measures which have resulted in problems for patients keeping a healthy lifestyle and a good diet. These changes have also impacted negatively patients’ mental health