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Background Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the symptoms, pain, and function changes experienced by rheumatoid arthritis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method This descriptive study was completed with a total of 119 patients from the rheumatology clinic of a university hospital who met the follow-up research criteria and agreed to participate in the study. Descriptive features question form, pandemic period disease characteristics form, and Visual Analogue Scale were used to collect data. Results The mean age of the patients was 48.53 ± 10.24, the duration of the disease was 69.63 ± 37.02 months, the average visual analog scale values before the pandemic period were 3.77 ± 1.40, while the average visual analog scale values during the pandemic period were 5.02 ± 1.57. The most common patient complaints were hygiene problems ( p < .001), dressing problems ( p < .001), and nutritional problems ( p < .001) due to increased pain during the pandemic period. It was determined that the patients needed a health care professional for self-care ( p < .001), injections ( p < .001), and pain management ( p < .001) during the pandemic period. Conclusions During the pandemic period, patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) stated that they needed the support of a health care professional for self-care, injections, and pain management.

Traditionally all rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are followed by rheumatologists in clinics. Nowadays, nurses in rheumatology clinics become an importantpart of the multidisciplinary team and can perform rheumatological tasks. Nursing-based care in clinics; physical function, disease activity, quality of life, pain, fatigue, hardness, psychological function and satisfaction. The aim of this current systematic review is to determine the clinical effectiveness of nurse-led disease management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In this review, keywords "rheumatoid arthritis, nurse or nursing, healthcare" were scanned through the library network of a university. Research; Between the years 2008-2019 Science Direct, PubMed, EBSCO Host, ULAKBIM, published in Turkey free Citation Index database, full-text articles were included. The compiled nurse-led RA clinics include articles that affect patient care outcomes. Nurse-led care meets expected treatment outcomes and is highly safe for patients. In line with these conclusions, our recommendation is that similar studies should be performed in clinics with more complex patient populations.

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Background and PurposeAccording to Orem's self-care deficit theory, when patients cannot meet their care needs, they need nursing systems for maintaining their health. Nursing care for elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) should be based on maintaining self-care. This study aims to determine the effects of Orem's self-care model of nursing care given to geriatric patients with RA on hand symptoms, life activities, and hand pain.MethodsThe study sample comprised a total of 22 patients (intervention group, 11; control group, 11) who met the sample selection criteria at a rheumatology outpatient clinic of a university hospital between June 17, 2019 and September 20, 2019. All interviews with patients in the intervention group were conducted by daily phone calls and a face-to-face interview at the hospital every 4 weeks. Patients continued to receive routine prescription by a physician during the course of application.ResultsNo difference was observed between the groups in terms of descriptive patient characteristics (p > .05). Hand pain, hand symptoms, and life activities of patients in the intervention group were measured at study initiation, week 4, and week 8. Intragroup comparison revealed that hand pain, hand symptoms, and life activity scores were lowest at week 8 in the intervention group (p < .05).Implications for PracticeThis study indicates that nursing care given according to Orem's self-care model is effective in reducing pain, improving hand functions, and performing life activities.