COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact on Psychological State and Routine Activity of Patients with Rheumatic Diseases

Background: Covid-19 might be considered “the illness that has changed the 21st century” and has become a major health problem. Patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs) are identified to be at higher risk of viral infections due to impaired immune regulation caused by the disease itself or immune modulating treatments linked to their comorbidities. Objective: This study aimed to assess the psychological condition and changes in the routine activity of patients with RDs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study included 217 patients ‎who met the diagnostic criteria specific for each rheumatic disease. They were divided according to their rheumatic disease into: RA ‎‎(60 patients), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (37 patients), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (30 patients), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) (30 patients) and degenerative arthritis (OA) ‎‎(60 patients).‎ Evaluation of the psychiatric symptoms was done by HADS ‎and IES-R‎. Results: A significant difference was recorded in mean age, sex, educational level, employment status, marital status, household size, comorbidities, medication types used, and TV usage as primary information sources between these groups. An insignificant difference was recorded in clinic attendance, staying home, and medication adherence across the groups. There was no significant difference across groups regarding IES-R, HAD-anxiety, and HAD-depression scales. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the psychological ‎state and mental health of cases with RD in many ways ‎such as distress, anxiety and depression. ‎Due to the pandemic, the routine activity of patients ‎with RD has been changed and decreased concerning the social activity ‎with its varieties and the attendance to outpatient clinic for follow up.‎