Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on the mental and physical health of adults with Prader-Willi syndrome

Abstract

Background Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with hypothalamic dysfunction leading to obesity and behavioral disabilities, including eating disorders (EDs). We evaluated the effects of the COVID-19 infection and lockdown on mental and physical health in PWS. At the end of April, 85 adults with PWS completed a self-administered questionnaire, including lockdown conditions, physical activity (PA), ED, and medical and behavioral outcomes. Body weight was measured at home and self-reported. Results Patients (52.9% women, 44.8% disomic) were assessed, with a mean age of 28.05\u2009±\u20098.73\xa0years and body mass index (BMI) of 36.76\u2009±\u200910.74\xa0kg/m 2 . Seventy percent lived in the Paris region (France) and were confined with their parents. The mean weight change was 0.96\u2009±\u20093.28\xa0kg. We compared patients showing weight loss (n\u2009=\u200939,\u2009−\u20093.30\u2009±\u20092.93\xa0kg) to patients showing weight gain (n\u2009=\u200922,\u2009+\u20092.35\u2009±\u20091.54\xa0kg): the BMI was lower (34.60\u2009±\u20099.18 versus 40.45\u2009±\u20099.45\xa0kg/m 2 , p \u2009=\u20090.02), PA increased (25.6% versus 4.5%, p \u2009=\u20090.04), and EDs improved (51.3% versus 13.6%, p \u2009=\u20090.005). Behavioral disorders increased for 12.9% of the cohort. Three individuals (3.5%) were diagnosed with non-severe COVID-19. Conclusion Lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with positive effects for most French adults with PWS, with weight loss probably associated with a more favourable environment during this period. We observed no severe forms of COVID-19.