Objectives
To compare the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures on patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) in the UK and other European countries (OEC).
Methods
REUMAVID was an online cross-sectional survey of seven European countries. Data collected included: demographics, lifestyle, employment, access to healthcare services, disease-specific characteristics, WHO-5 Well-Being Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) disease activity, and the Perceived Acceptable Symptom Scale.
Results
1,800 responses were received between April and July 2020 [UK, n = 558(31.0%); OEC, n = 1,242(69.0%)]. UK patients were more likely to be older (UK 58.5years±13.4; OEC 50.0years±12.2), university educated [UK n = 302(54.1%); OEC n = 572(46.1%), quit smoking [UK n = 92(59.4%); OEC n = 65(16.2%)] and continue exercise [UK, n = 216(49.2%); OEC, n = 228(33.1%)], although conversely alcohol consumption increased [UK n = 99(36.3%); OEC n = 98(12.1%)]. UK patients felt informed about COVID-19 (UK 72.7%, OEC 57.4%) and kept their planned rheumatology [UK n = 87(51.2%); OEC n = 213(38.6%)] and/or GP appointments [UK n = 87(76.3%); OEC n = 310(53.9%)]. Almost half of patients with RMDs reported a decline in health and wellbeing, though this was less common in UK patients [UK n = 214(38.4%), OEC n = 618(50.2%)] who reported better perceived acceptable symptom scale, VAS pain and HADS scores, but worse WHO-5 scores.
Conclusions
UK RMD patients performed better in the physical and mental health domains tested possibly due to a less restrictive lockdown and improved healthcare access. These findings have implications for healthcare services globally in planning patient care after the COVID-19 pandemic.