Poor health and functioning in patients with axial spondyloarthritis during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown: REUMAVID study (phase 1)

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the overall health and functioning in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and related factors affecting these during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures. Methods: Data from 587 axSpA patients participating in the first phase (April–July 2020) of the REUMAVID study who completed the ASAS Health Index (ASAS-HI) were analysed. REUMAVID is a cross-sectional study that collects data through an online survey to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases across seven European countries. Poor health was defined as ASAS-HI ⩾ 12. The World Health Organization Five well-being index, self-perceived health status and change in health status during COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated as secondary outcomes. Logistic regression models were used to identify the factors associated with poor health. Results: According to the ASAS-HI, 147 (25.0%) patients reported poor health. Pain and moving around were the main affected categories. In addition, 14.0% reported their self-perceived health status as ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ and 46.8% as worse than before the pandemic. In the multivariate analysis, smoking (OR = 1.98), diabetes (OR = 4.89) and taking painkillers (OR = 2.82) or corticosteroids use (OR = 2.20) were significantly associated with poor health, while engaging in physical activity (OR = 0.54) and being actively employed (OR = 0.48) were inversely associated with this. Conclusions: During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, one in four axSpA patients reported poor health and functioning, while the self-perceived health status of almost half of these patients worsened. Nonsmoking, physical activity and being employed were associated with better outcomes.

Interplay of diabetes mellitus and rheumatic diseases amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: influence on the risk of infection, outcomes, and immune responses

“…Possibly, it forms a vicious cycle of poor physical activity, worsening disease activity, and inflammation, leading to poor control of DM. This may hold true for other inflammatory RDs if analyzed specifically in this fashion [51].…”

“…A Spanish web-based cross-sectional observational study (REUMAVID) evaluated the effects of COVID-19 on various aspects of healthcare for RDs [51]. An analysis of 587 patients with axial spondyloarthritis was carried out of which 4.3% had DM.…”

Change of perspective: impact of COVID-19 pandemic on axial spondyloarthritis-related web searches in Germany

“…In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic caused by coronavirus disease (COVID-19) 2 , initiating a period of restrictions and multiple lockdowns, which could lead to new diseases or exacerbation of pre-existing diseases by reducing healthcare provider consultations and/or affecting mental health 3 , 4 . Ciuera et al found no evidence of worsening disease activity in axSpA during the lockdown 5 , while others demonstrated that approximately 50% of axSpA patients reported worse health status and well-being than before the pandemic 6 , 7 . As analysing web search data on health topics can contribute to a better understanding of the interest and needs on a population-level 8 , 9 , this study aimed to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on axSpA in Germany by comparing axSpA-related web searches before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (cut-off: March 2020) in terms of search content.…”