Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37347432›Full record

ArticleNeurology and therapy2023

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on SMA Screening and Care: Physician and Community Insights.

Mary Curry, Ilse Peterson, Lisa Belter, Fatou Sarr, Sarah Whitmire, Mary Schroth, Jill Jarecki

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Neurology and therapy, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
0.3field-weighted citation impact, top 35% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Mary CurryCure SMA, 925 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007, USA. mary.curry@curesma.org.
Ilse PetersonFaegre Drinker Biddle and Reath LLP, 1500 K Street NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC, 20005, USA.
Lisa BelterCure SMA, 925 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007, USA.
Fatou SarrFaegre Drinker Biddle and Reath LLP, 1500 K Street NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC, 20005, USA.
Sarah WhitmireCure SMA, 925 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007, USA.
Mary SchrothCure SMA, 925 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007, USA.
Jill JareckiCure SMA, 925 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007, USA.
Cure Spinal Muscular Atrophy · USBaker University · US

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveAs part of efforts to reduce diagnostic delays and enhance clinical trials, Cure SMA evaluated the effects of COVID-19 on SMA care and clinical trial conduct.

introductionSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive, potentially debilitating muscle weakness and atrophy. Uninterrupted access to early diagnosis, disease-modifying treatment, and care for SMA is vital to avoiding irreversible motor neuron death and achieving optimal patient outcomes.

methodsTwo surveys were conducted: a provider survey and a community survey. The Provider Impact Survey, distributed from November 24, 2020, through March 8, 2021, assessed COVID-19's effects on referrals for evaluation of suspected SMA, cancellations and delays of SMA-related care, and clinical trials. The Community Impact Survey was fielded in three waves between April 7, 2020 and July 19, 2021, in tandem with Cure SMA COVID-19 support programs.

resultsA total of 48 completed provider surveys (22 from care sites, 26 from care-and-trial sites) reflected decreases in referrals for suspected SMA, increases in appointment cancellations and delays, and patient reluctance to attend in-person visits due to COVID-19. One-third of care-and-trial sites reported trial recruitment delays, and one-quarter reported pausing trial enrollment. Results of the Community Impact Survey, completed by 2047 individuals, showed similar disruptions, with 55% reporting changes or limitations in accessing essential SMA-related services.

conclusionsThis research evaluates the pandemic's interruption of SMA care and research. These insights can help mitigate and increase preparedness for future disruptive events. Expanded use of virtual tools including telehealth and remote monitoring may enhance continuity and access. However, additional research is required to evaluate their effectiveness. While this research was specific to SMA, its findings may have relevance for other patient communities.

Indexed as

Appointment wait timesCOVID-19 pandemicDiagnosisNewborn screeningReferralsSMASpinal muscular atrophyTriage

Identifiers

PMID37347432
PMCPMC10444727
OpenAlexW4381598983

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.