Pain and Affected Symptoms of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis During COVID-19 Period

Abstract

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.

Has the COVID 19 Pandemic Impacted the Management of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain?

“…Two studies reported a COVID-19 infection rate of 2–3% [ 29 , 30 ]. One study excluded patients with COVID-19 infection [ 31 ].…”

“…Increased disease activity, functional impairment, and pandemic-related psychological stress all correlated to significant decreases in quality of life among RA patients [ 29 , 32 ]. Of the four studies, three discussed patients’ inability to access healthcare resources despite having a clear need, with 53% of patients lacking the support of a healthcare professional [ 31 ], and 59–87% of patients reporting difficulty obtaining medications [ 29 , 30 ]. Decreased healthcare access was associated with increased symptom severity in two studies [ 30 , 31 ].…”

“…Of the four studies, three discussed patients’ inability to access healthcare resources despite having a clear need, with 53% of patients lacking the support of a healthcare professional [ 31 ], and 59–87% of patients reporting difficulty obtaining medications [ 29 , 30 ]. Decreased healthcare access was associated with increased symptom severity in two studies [ 30 , 31 ]. These studies suggest that the COVID‑19 pandemic led to reduced access to medications and medical care and increased pain and disease activity of RA patients.…”

“…Lockdown protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic further affected chronic pain management by severely limiting access to healthcare and alternative coping strategies. Individuals who experienced changes in healthcare during the pandemic reported increased anxiety [ 27 , 28 , 47 ], worsened disease status [ 25 , 30 , 31 , 34 , 43 ], sleep problems, and depression [ 47 ]. Our results also are consistent with two prior reviews that assessed the impact of COVID-19 pandemic-related cancelations or delays in elective joint replacement surgeries on OA patients.…”

“…Four studies with 1424 patients evaluated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with RA [29][30][31][32]. Sample size ranged from 68 to 1037; 75-96% of participants were female.…”