TY - JOUR
T1 - COVID-19 and autoimmune rheumatic disease
T2 - behavioural changes adopted by patients amid the pandemic
AU - Dey, Dzifa
AU - Katso, Bright
AU - Issaka, Saudatu
AU - Adjei, Patrick
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
PY - 2024/8
Y1 - 2024/8
N2 - Background: Amid concerns about severe COVID-19 in patients with autoimmune rheumatic disease (AIRD) during the outbreak, it is crucial to explore behavioural changes, whether healthy or unhealthy, arising from this patient population in response to the changing healthcare environment. Aim: To investigate COVID-19-driven behavioural changes in patients with AIRD. Methods: This observational study invited patients who attended the rheumatology clinic of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital from 1 August 2020 to 1 July 2021, to respond to a survey questionnaire distributed on the patient's WhatsApp platform. Variables observed were changes in patient behaviour and decision-making related to medication, healthcare service utilisation and clinical advice. Results: Results for 233 patients were analysed in the study, the majority (89.7%) of whom were women. The most significant behavioural changes were a reduction in hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) dosage, adoption of telemedicine for clinical consultation and keen adherence to protective/preventive health measures. Patients also expressed anxiety regarding the risk of contracting COVID-19 (52.5%), infecting their families (66.5%) and losing income (50.2%) due to the pandemic. Women and students were more likely to engage in self-isolation/shielding behaviour. Employed participants practised social distancing more, reduced HCQ dosage and had more fear of losing income. Having mixed connective tissue disease is associated with being anxious about the risk of COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in behaviour changes among patients with AIRD. Despite the perceived risk, most of these patients continue to adhere to their prescribed medication regimens, especially maintaining the dosage of traditional immunosuppressive agents.
AB - Background: Amid concerns about severe COVID-19 in patients with autoimmune rheumatic disease (AIRD) during the outbreak, it is crucial to explore behavioural changes, whether healthy or unhealthy, arising from this patient population in response to the changing healthcare environment. Aim: To investigate COVID-19-driven behavioural changes in patients with AIRD. Methods: This observational study invited patients who attended the rheumatology clinic of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital from 1 August 2020 to 1 July 2021, to respond to a survey questionnaire distributed on the patient's WhatsApp platform. Variables observed were changes in patient behaviour and decision-making related to medication, healthcare service utilisation and clinical advice. Results: Results for 233 patients were analysed in the study, the majority (89.7%) of whom were women. The most significant behavioural changes were a reduction in hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) dosage, adoption of telemedicine for clinical consultation and keen adherence to protective/preventive health measures. Patients also expressed anxiety regarding the risk of contracting COVID-19 (52.5%), infecting their families (66.5%) and losing income (50.2%) due to the pandemic. Women and students were more likely to engage in self-isolation/shielding behaviour. Employed participants practised social distancing more, reduced HCQ dosage and had more fear of losing income. Having mixed connective tissue disease is associated with being anxious about the risk of COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in behaviour changes among patients with AIRD. Despite the perceived risk, most of these patients continue to adhere to their prescribed medication regimens, especially maintaining the dosage of traditional immunosuppressive agents.
KW - COVID-19
KW - autoimmune rheumatic disease
KW - behavioural changes
KW - telemedicine
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85194742747&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/imj.16406
DO - 10.1111/imj.16406
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85194742747
SN - 1444-0903
VL - 54
SP - 1376
EP - 1383
JO - Internal Medicine Journal
JF - Internal Medicine Journal
IS - 8
ER -