1. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on patients with rheumatic diseases in Latin America
- Author
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Antonio Cachafeiro-Vilar, Nelly Colman, Ana Maria Sapag, Jossiell Then-Báez, Paula I. Burgos, Mario H. Cardiel, Sayonara Sandino, Rubén Montufar, Guillermo J. Pons-Estel, Carlos Pastelín, Dina Arrieta, Yurilis J Fuentes-Silva, Daniel Palleiro, Enrique R. Soriano, Manuel F. Ugarte-Gil, Diana Romero-Alvernia, Daniel G. Fernández-Ávila, Gil Reyes, Julián E. Barahona-Correa, Sergio Kowalski, Belia Meléndez, and Nilmo Chávez
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ,Latin Americans ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,Immunology ,Disease ,Telehealth ,Observational Research ,Rheumatology ,Internal medicine ,Rheumatic Diseases ,Pandemic ,medicine ,Immunology and Allergy ,Humans ,Pandemics ,Behavior ,business.industry ,COVID-19 ,medicine.disease ,Knowledge ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Latin America ,Adherence ,Rheumatoid arthritis ,Family medicine ,Antirheumatic Agents ,Observational study ,business - Abstract
The objective of our study was to describe knowledge, attitudes and practices of Latin-American rheumatology patients regarding management and follow-up of their disease during COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a digital anonymous survey. Rheumatic patients ≥ 18 years from non-English-speaking PANLAR countries were included. Our survey included 3502 rheumatic patients living in more than 19 Latin-American countries. Median age of patients was 45.8(36-55) years and the majority (88.9%) was female. Most frequently self-reported disease was rheumatoid arthritis (48.4%). At least one anti-rheumatic treatment was suspended by 23.4% of patients. Fear of contracting SARS-Cov2 (27.7%) and economic issues (25%) were the most common reasons for drug discontinuation. Self-rated disease activity increased from 30 (7-50) to 45 (10-70) points during the pandemic. Communication with their rheumatologist during the pandemic was required by 55.6% of patients, mainly by telephone calls (50.2%) and social network messages (47.8%). An adequate knowledge about COVID-19 was observed in 43% of patients. Patients with rheumatic diseases in Latin America were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. An increase in self-rated disease activity, a reduction in medication adherence, and hurdles for medical follow-up were reported. Teleconsultation was perceived as a valid alternative to in-person visits during the pandemic.
- Published
- 2021