The impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients with Chronic Rheumatic Diseases: A Study in 15 Arab Countries

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p><jats:bold>Aim. </jats:bold>To evaluate the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic (COVID-19) on the access to rheumatology care for patients with chronic rheumatic diseases (CRD) in the Arab countries<jats:bold>.</jats:bold><jats:bold>Method. </jats:bold>A web-based cross-sectional survey was designed by the Arab Adult Arthritis Awareness group (AAAA) consisting of 16 rheumatologists representing countries from the Arab League of Associations for Rheumatology (ArLAR), and was validated by the ArLAR scientific committee. The survey was disseminated through social media and patients' associations' channels between May 8 and May 22, 2020. The steering committee developed recommendations to improve the care of patients with CRD during the COVID-19 pandemic.<jats:bold>Results. </jats:bold>A total of 2163 patients were included in the analysis; 72% were females; mean age was 40 years (SD 11.9). The Levant, the Gulf, and North Africa contributed almost equally to the sample. The pandemic had a significant negative impact on rheumatology visits in 82% of cases, on access to hydroxychloroquine (47%), and on chronic medication persistency (28%). The negative impact on rheumatology visits was associated with female gender, country, medication non-persistency, isolation due to COVID-19, and impact on mental health. Sixty-one patients (2.8%) stated that they had COVID-19, 5% said that a close contact was infected, and 47% were in isolation because of COVID-19.<jats:bold>Conclusion. </jats:bold>The current study highlights the deleterious consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the continuity of rheumatology care. Therefore, an action plan, including establishing a telemedicine platform, securing drug availability, and promoting medication persistence through the appropriate communication channels, is strongly recommended.</jats:p>

Experiences of self‐care during the COVID‐19 pandemic among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis: A qualitative study

“…Unsurprisingly, emerging literature supports our findings that individuals with RA experienced heightened feelings of fear, anxiety or stress during the pandemic compared to before 6,34–39 . In a survey of 361 respondents with rheumatologic conditions in the Bronx, the most affected borough of New York, USA, with a population disproportionately affected by COVID‐19, Maldonado et al 37 found that high levels of COVID‐related distress were reported.…”

“…It is also known that individuals using telehealth in the United States tend to have higher socioeconomic status with stable phone and internet services. 36,44 It is possible that remote consultations may widen present health inequalities, due to limited health literacy for example, which the limitations of our sample may not have identified. Our sample was recruited from selfcare intervention studies involving the use of technology and may be very unique.…”

“…33 Unsurprisingly, emerging literature supports our findings that individuals with RA experienced heightened feelings of fear, anxiety or stress during the pandemic compared to before. 6,[34][35][36][37][38][39] In a survey of 361 respondents with rheumatologic conditions in the Bronx, the most affected borough of New York, USA, with a population disproportionately affected by COVID-19, Maldonado et al 37 found that high levels of COVID-related distress were reported. In addition to the stress of being high risk for infection, respondents experienced the stress of medication shortages (most frequently, hydroxychloroquine), and these stresses were highly associated with flares and disease activity scores.…”

Physical exercise for the management of systemic autoimmune myopathies: recent findings, and future perspectives

“…Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic leads to an urgent call for actions to mitigate the negative effects observed in several studies on psychological health, pain, and quality of life, as seen similarly in systemic autoimmune myopathies [57 ▪ ,61,62 ▪▪ ].…”

The impact of COVID-19 on Abu Dhabi and its primary care response

“…Patients with comorbidities are avoiding or delaying their care routines during the pandemic, which is placing them at a greater risk of developing complications. 6 Newer care delivery models in the form of remote healthcare platforms have been implemented in primary care clinics. PCTs assist in managing the health of such patients by contacting them via phone and through online video consultations.…”