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Schlegel M, Bachmann S. Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Management and on Healthcare Delivery of Immune-Mediated Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases during the First Pandemic Period February to July 2020: A Systematic Review. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:596. [PMID: 38674242 PMCID: PMC11052197 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60040596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
(1) Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the management of patients with immune-mediated rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (imRMDs) in various ways. The goal of our systematic review was to determine the influence of the first period of the COVID-19 pandemic (February 2020 to July 2020) on the management of imRMDs regarding the availability of drugs, adherence to therapy and therapy changes and on healthcare delivery. (2) Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search of PubMed, Cochrane and Embase databases (carried out 20-26 October 2021), including studies with adult patients, on the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of imRMDs. There were no restrictions regarding to study design except for systematic reviews and case reports that were excluded as well as articles on the disease outcomes in case of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Two reviewers screened the studies for inclusion, and in case of disagreement, a consensus was reached after discussion. (3) Results: A total of 5969 potentially relevant studies were found, and after title, abstract and full-text screening, 34 studies were included with data from 182,746 patients and 2018 rheumatologists. The non-availability of drugs (the impossibility or increased difficulty to obtain a drug), e.g., hydroxychloroquine and tocilizumab, was frequent (in 16-69% of patients). Further, medication non-adherence was reported among patients with different imRMDs and between different drugs in 4-46% of patients. Changes to preexisting medication were reported in up to 33% of patients (e.g., reducing the dose of steroids or the cessation of biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs). Physical in-office consultations and laboratory testing decreased, and therefore, newly implemented remote consultations (particularly telemedicine) increased greatly, with an increase of up to 80%. (4) Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the management of imRMDs, especially at the beginning. The influences were wide-ranging, affecting the availability of pharmacies, adherence to medication or medication changes, avoidance of doctor visits and laboratory testing. Remote and telehealth consultations were newly implemented. These new forms of healthcare delivery should be spread and implemented worldwide to routine clinical practice to be ready for future pandemics. Every healthcare service provider treating patients with imRMDs should check with his IT provider how these new forms of visits can be used and how they are offered in daily clinical practice. Therefore, this is not only a digitalization topic but also an organization theme for hospitals or outpatient clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Schlegel
- Department of Rheumatology, Rehabilitations Zentrum Valens, Kliniken Valens, 7317 Valens, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Bachmann
- Department of Rheumatology, Rehabilitations Zentrum Valens, Kliniken Valens, 7317 Valens, Switzerland
- Department of Geriatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
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Weman L, Salo H, Kuusalo L, Huhtakangas J, Kärki J, Vähäsalo P, Backström M, Sokka-Isler T. Similar levels of disease activity and remission rates in patients with psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis-results from the Finnish quality register. Clin Rheumatol 2024; 43:633-643. [PMID: 38153614 PMCID: PMC10834563 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-023-06850-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare the current disease activity and remission rates, and their regional variation in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Finland. METHODS Data of patients' most recent visit in 1/2020-9/2021 were extracted from the Finnish Rheumatology Quality Register. Measures for disease activity and remission included joint counts, DAS28, cDAPSA, CDAI, the Boolean definition, and physician assessment. Regression analyses were applied, adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS Data of 3598 patients with PsA (51% female, mean age 54 years) and 13,913 patients with RA (72% female, 74% ACPA-positive, mean age 62 years) were included. The median (IQR) DAS28 was 1.9 (1.4, 2.6) in PsA and 2.0 (1.6, 2.7) in RA (p = 0.94); for cDAPSA, the median (IQR) values were 7.7 (3.1, 14) in PsA and 7.7 (3.3, 14) in RA (p < 0.001). In all regions in both diseases, the median DAS28 was ≤ 2.6 and the median cDAPSA < 13. Remission rates included DAS28 < 2.6 in 73% in PsA and 69% in RA (p = 0.17) and Boolean remission in 17% in PsA and 15% in RA (p < 0.001). By other definitions of remission, the rates ranged between 30% and 46%. Methotrexate was currently used by 49% in PsA and 57% in RA (p < 0.001). Self-administered bDMARDs were currently used by 37% in PsA and 21% in RA (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The overall disease activity was low and similar in patients with PsA and RA across the country. Remission rates varied between 15 and 73%, depending on the definition but were similar in PsA and RA. Key Points • The disease activity and clinical picture was similar between patients with PsA and RA, in a cross-sectional setting in 1.2020-9.2021. • A significant majority of patients with PsA had low disease activity or were in remission according to cDAPSA. Majority of patients with RA were in remission according to DAS28. • Patients with PsA and RA used methotrexate similarly. The utilization of bDMARDs was more prevalent in patients with PsA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauri Weman
- University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Henri Salo
- Data and Analytics, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Laura Kuusalo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Johanna Kärki
- Department of Children and Adolescents, Kanta-Häme Central Hospital, Hämeenlinna, Finland
| | - Paula Vähäsalo
- Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, University of Oulu, Department of Children and Adolescents, Oulu University Hospital and Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Maria Backström
- Department of Paediatrics, Wellbeing Services County of Ostrobothnia, Vaasa, Finland
- Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tuulikki Sokka-Isler
- University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Rheumatology, Hospital Nova of Central Finland, Jyväskylä, Finland
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Horton DB, Yang Y, Neikirk A, Huang C, Crystal S, Davidow A, Haynes K, Gerhard T, Rose CD, Strom BL, Parlett L. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Management of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Analysis of United States Commercial Insurance Data. J Clin Rheumatol 2023; 29:388-395. [PMID: 37798830 PMCID: PMC10843854 DOI: 10.1097/rhu.0000000000002035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Given limited information on health care and treatment utilization for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) during the pandemic, we studied JIA-related health care and treatment utilization in a commercially insured retrospective US cohort. METHODS We studied rates of outpatient visits, new disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) initiations, intra-articular glucocorticoid injections (iaGC), dispensed oral glucocorticoids and opioids, DMARD adherence, and DMARD discontinuation by quarter in March 2018-February 2021 (Q1 started in March). Incident rate ratios (IRR, pandemic vs prepandemic) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariable Poisson or Quasi-Poisson models stratified by diagnosis recency (incident JIA, <12 months ago; prevalent JIA, ≥12 months ago). RESULTS Among 1294 children diagnosed with JIA, total and in-person outpatient visits for JIA declined during the pandemic (IRR, 0.88-0.90), most markedly in Q1 2020. Telemedicine visits, while higher during the pandemic, declined from 21% (Q1) to 13% (Q4) in 2020 to 2021. During the pandemic, children with prevalent JIA, but not incident JIA, had lower usage of iaGC (IRR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.34-1.07), oral glucocorticoids (IRR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.33-0.67), and opioids (IRR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.26-0.75). Adherence to and discontinuation of DMARDs was similar before and during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS In the first year of the pandemic, visits for JIA dropped by 10% to 12% in commercially insured children in the United States, declines partly mitigated by use of telemedicine. Pandemic-related declines in intra-articular glucocorticoids, oral glucocorticoids, and opioids were observed for children with prevalent, but not incident, JIA. These changes may have important implications for disease control and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B. Horton
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Rutgers Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Science, Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | | | | | - Cecilia Huang
- Rutgers Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Science, Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Stephen Crystal
- Rutgers Center for Health Services Research, Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Rutgers School of Social Work, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Amy Davidow
- New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kevin Haynes
- Janssen Research & Development, Titusville, NJ, USA
| | - Tobias Gerhard
- Rutgers Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Science, Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | | | - Brian L. Strom
- Rutgers Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Science, Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
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Luppino AF, Cincinelli G, Orenti A, Boracchi P, Favalli EG, Caporali R, Ingegnoli F. Tight control in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with targeted therapies across the COVID-19 pandemic era. J Telemed Telecare 2023:1357633X221150724. [PMID: 36694430 PMCID: PMC9892820 DOI: 10.1177/1357633x221150724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To analyze the impact of different patterns of healthcare delivery on remission of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with targeted therapies during the first wave (2020) and second/third waves (2021) of the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (2019). METHODS In this observational real-life study, data from RA patients treated with biologic or targeted synthetic drugs were extracted from a longitudinal registry. Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) was analyzed in the same period from the 22nd of February to the 18th of May for three consecutive years. These three periods were characterized by different patterns of healthcare delivery: (1) before the pandemic (2019) only in-person visits, (2) during the first wave (2020) both in-person visits and telehealth, and (3) during the second/third waves (2021) only in-person visits. A generalized linear model with the binomial error was fitted to evaluate the difference in the proportion of patients in CDAI remission. Quantile regression was used to compare the median of CDAI in difficult-to-treat (D2T) patients. RESULTS In the three periods, we included 407, 450, and 540 RA patients respectively. The percentages of patients in CDAI remission were similar in the three periods (prevalence ratio 1.07, p value 0.423 between 2020 and 2019, and 1.01, p-value 0.934 between 2021 and 2019). The CDAI remission rate was 40.55% (N = 163), 43.18% (N = 155) and 40.82% (N = 220) in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Among our cohort of D2T patients, CDAI remission was similar across the three periods (N = 30, 22.22%; N = 27, 23.68%; and N = 34, 21.52% respectively). CONCLUSION Although the pandemic has imposed changes in our healthcare delivery, these different strategies seem to be effective in ensuring satisfactory management of RA treated with targeted therapies. The approaches modulated in the context of the different periods have been a feasible compensation for ensuring disease control even in D2T patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Flavia Luppino
- Clinical Rheumatology Unit, ASST Gaetano Pini-CTO, Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Gilberto Cincinelli
- Clinical Rheumatology Unit, ASST Gaetano Pini-CTO, Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Annalisa Orenti
- Lab of Medical Statistics, Biometry and Epidemiology “GA Maccacaro”, Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Patrizia Boracchi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “L. Sacco”, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Ennio Giulio Favalli
- Clinical Rheumatology Unit, ASST Gaetano Pini-CTO, Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto Caporali
- Clinical Rheumatology Unit, ASST Gaetano Pini-CTO, Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Ingegnoli
- Clinical Rheumatology Unit, ASST Gaetano Pini-CTO, Department of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Wong-Pack M, Hepworth E, Movahedi M, Kuriya B, Pope J, Keystone E, Thorne C, Ahluwalia V, Cesta A, Mously C, Bombardier C, Lau A, Aydin SZ. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with rheumatoid arthritis: data from the Ontario Best Practices Research Initiative (OBRI). Rheumatol Adv Pract 2023; 7:rkad042. [PMID: 37179654 PMCID: PMC10172034 DOI: 10.1093/rap/rkad042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created challenges for patients with RA. We examined the potential impact of the pandemic on patient-reported outcomes (PROs), disease activity and medication profiles, comparing the periods pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. Methods Patients enrolled in the Ontario Best Practices Research Initiative were included if they had at least one visit to a physician or study interviewer within 12 months before and after the start of pandemic-related closures in Ontario (15 March 2020). Baseline characteristics, disease activity, PROs [i.e. health assessment questionnaire disability index, RA disease activity index (RADAI), European quality of life five-dimension questionnaire], medication use and changes were included. Student's paired two-sample t-tests and McNamar's tests were performed for continuous and categorical variables between time periods. Results The sample for analysis consisted of 1508 patients, with a mean (s.d.) age of 62.7 (12.5) years, and 79% were female. Despite decreases in the number of in-person visits during the pandemic, there was no significant negative impact on disease activity or PRO scores. The DASs in both periods remained low, with either no clinically significant differences or slight improvement. Scores for mental, social and physical health were either stable or improved. There were statistically significant decreases in conventional synthetic DMARD use (P < 0.0001) and increased Janus kinase inhibitor usage (P = 0.0002). Biologic DMARD use remained stable throughout the pandemic. Conclusion In this cohort, disease activity and PROs of RA patients remained stable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The longer-term outcomes of the pandemic warrant investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Wong-Pack
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elliot Hepworth
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mohammad Movahedi
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bindee Kuriya
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Janet Pope
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Edward Keystone
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carter Thorne
- Centre of Arthritis Excellence, Newmarket, ON, Canada
| | - Vandana Ahluwalia
- Division of Rheumatology, William Osler Health System, Brampton, ON, Canada
| | - Angela Cesta
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Carol Mously
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Claire Bombardier
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Arthur Lau
- Division of Rheumatology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sibel Zehra Aydin
- Correspondence to: Sibel Zehra Aydin, Division of Rheumatology, Ottawa Hospital Riverside Campus, 1967 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON K1H 7W9, Canada. E-mail:
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Glintborg B, Jensen DV, Terslev L, Hendricks O, Østergaard M, Horskjær Rasmussen S, Jensen MP, Adelsten T, Colic A, Danebod K, Kildemand M, Loft AG, Munk HL, Pedersen JK, Østgård RD, Møller Sørensen C, Krogh NS, Agerbo J, Ziegler C, Hetland ML. Nationwide, large-scale implementation of an online system for remote entry of patient-reported outcomes in rheumatology: characteristics of users and non-users and time to first entry. RMD Open 2022; 8:rmdopen-2022-002549. [PMID: 36418086 PMCID: PMC9685239 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims In May 2020, a nationwide, web-based system for remote entry of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in inflammatory rheumatic diseases was launched and implemented in routine care (DANBIO-from-home). After 1.5 years of use, we explored clinical characteristics of patients who did versus did not use the system, and the time to first entry of PROs. Methods All patients followed in DANBIO were informed about DANBIO-from-home by electronic invitations or when attending their clinic. Characteristics of patients who did/did not use DANBIO-from-home in the period after implementation were explored by multivariable logistic regression analyses including demographic and clinical variables (gender, age group, diagnosis, disease duration, use of biological disease-modifying agent (bDMARD), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Patient Acceptable Symptom Scale (PASS)). Time from launch to first entry was presented as cumulative incidence curves by age group (<40/40–60/61–80/>80 years). Results Of 33 776 patients, 68% entered PROs using DANBIO-from-home at least once. Median (IQR) time to first entry was 27 (11–152) days. Factors associated with data entry in multivariate analyses (OR (95% CI)) were: female gender (1.19 (1.12 to 1.27)), bDMARD treatment (1.41 (1.33 to 1.50)), age 40–60 years (1.79 (1.63 to 1.97)), 61–80 years (1.87 (1.70 to 2.07), or age >80 years (0.57 (0.50 to 0.65)) (reference: age <40 years), lower HAQ (0.68 (0.65 to 0.71)) and PASS ‘no’ (1.09 (1.02 to 1.17). Diagnosis was not associated. Time to first entry of PROs was longest in patients <40 years of age (119 (24–184) days) and shortest in the 61–80 years age group (25 (8–139) days). Conclusion A nationwide online platform for PRO in rheumatology achieved widespread use. Higher age, male gender, conventional treatment and disability were associated with no use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bente Glintborg
- DANBIO and Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dorte Vendelbo Jensen
- DANBIO and Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Rheumatology, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Gentofte University Hospital, Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Lene Terslev
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- DANBIO and Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Oliver Hendricks
- Danish Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, University of Southern Denmark, Sønderborg, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Østergaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- DANBIO and Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Simon Horskjær Rasmussen
- Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Mogens Pfeiffer Jensen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- DANBIO and Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Thomas Adelsten
- Department of Rheumatology, Zealand University Hospital Koge, Koge, Denmark
| | - Ada Colic
- Department of Rheumatology, Zealand University Hospital Koge, Koge, Denmark
| | - Kamilla Danebod
- Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Malene Kildemand
- Department of Rheumatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Anne Gitte Loft
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Heidi Lausten Munk
- Rheumatology Research Unit, University of Southern Denmark, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jens Kristian Pedersen
- Department of Rheumatology, Odense University Hospital, Svendborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Jette Agerbo
- Danish Rheumatism Association/Gigtforeningen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Connie Ziegler
- Danish Rheumatism Association/Gigtforeningen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Merete Lund Hetland
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- DANBIO and Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
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Glintborg B, Jensen DV, Terslev L, Hendricks O, Østergaard M, Rasmussen SH, Jensen MP, Adelsten T, Colic A, Danebod K, Kildemand M, Loft AG, Munk HL, Pedersen JK, Østgård RD, Sørensen CM, Krogh NS, Agerbo JN, Ziegler C, Hetland ML. Long-term Behavioral Changes During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Impact of Vaccination in Patients With Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases. J Rheumatol 2022; 49:1163-1172. [PMID: 35705237 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.211280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore anxiety and self-isolation in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease (IRD)15 months into the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including attitudes toward and effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. METHODS A nationwide online survey was conducted at 3 timepoints: May 2020, November 2020, and May 2021. Patients with IRD followed in the Danish Rheumatology Quality Registry (DANBIO) were asked about the effects of the pandemic, including SARS-CoV-2 infection and their behavior, anxiety, and concerns. The May 2021 survey included attitudes toward SARS-CoV-2 and influenza vaccination. Characteristics associated with self-isolation in May 2021 were explored with adjusted logistic regression analyses that included patient characteristics and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status. RESULTS Respondents to surveys 1, 2, and 3 included 12,789; 14,755; and 13,921 patients, respectively; 64% had rheumatoid arthritis and 63% were female. Anxiety and concerns were highest in May 2020 and decreased to stable levels in November 2020 and May 2021; 86%, 50%, and 52% of respondents reported self-isolation, respectively. In May 2021, 4% of respondents self-reported previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. The SARS-CoV-2 vaccine acceptance rate was 86%, and the proportion of patients vaccinated against influenza had increased from 50% in winter 2019-2020 to 64% in winter 2020-2021. The proportion of patients with anxiety appeared similar among those vaccinated and unvaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. In multivariable analyses, being unvaccinated, female gender, receiving biologic drugs, and poor quality of life were independently associated with self-isolation. CONCLUSION Levels of anxiety and self-isolation decreased after the initial lockdown period in patients with IRD. Half of the patients reported self-isolation in May 2021, a phase that included widespread reopening of society and large-scale vaccination. The lack of prepandemic data prevented a full understanding of the long-term effects of the pandemic on anxiety and self-isolation in patients with IRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bente Glintborg
- B. Glintborg, MD, PhD, DMSc, M. Østergaard, MD, PhD, DMSc, Professor, M.L. Hetland, MD, PhD, DMSc, Professor, DANBIO and Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, University Hospital of Copenhagen Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, and Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen;
| | - Dorte Vendelbo Jensen
- D.V. Jensen, MD, DANBIO, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Copenhagen, and Department of Rheumatology, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases Gentofte and Herlev Hospital, Gentofte
| | - Lene Terslev
- L. Terslev, MD, PhD, Professor, M. Pfeiffer Jensen, MD, PhD, Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, and Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen
| | - Oliver Hendricks
- O. Hendricks, MD, Professor, Danish Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Sønderborg, and Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense
| | - Mikkel Østergaard
- B. Glintborg, MD, PhD, DMSc, M. Østergaard, MD, PhD, DMSc, Professor, M.L. Hetland, MD, PhD, DMSc, Professor, DANBIO and Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, University Hospital of Copenhagen Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, and Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen
| | - Simon Horskjær Rasmussen
- S.H. Rasmussen, PhD, Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen
| | - Mogens Pfeiffer Jensen
- L. Terslev, MD, PhD, Professor, M. Pfeiffer Jensen, MD, PhD, Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, and Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen
| | - Thomas Adelsten
- T. Adelsten, MD, A. Colic, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Zealand University Hospital, Køge
| | - Ada Colic
- T. Adelsten, MD, A. Colic, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Zealand University Hospital, Køge
| | - Kamilla Danebod
- K. Danebod, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup
| | - Malene Kildemand
- M. Kildemand, RN, Department of Rheumatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense
| | - Anne Gitte Loft
- A. Gitte Loft, MD, DMSc, Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, and Department of Clinical Medicine, Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus
| | - Heidi Lausten Munk
- H.L. Munk, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Research Unit, Odense University Hospital and University of Southern Denmark, Odense
| | - Jens Kristian Pedersen
- J.K. Pedersen, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, Odense University Hospital and Svendborg Hospital, Svendborg, and Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense
| | - René Drage Østgård
- R.D. Østgård, MD, PhD, Diagnostic Center, Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Silkeborg
| | | | | | - Jette Nørgaard Agerbo
- J.N. Agerbo, Patient Representative, C. Ziegler, Patient Representative, Gigtforeningen/Danish Rheumatism Association, Denmark
| | - Connie Ziegler
- J.N. Agerbo, Patient Representative, C. Ziegler, Patient Representative, Gigtforeningen/Danish Rheumatism Association, Denmark
| | - Merete Lund Hetland
- B. Glintborg, MD, PhD, DMSc, M. Østergaard, MD, PhD, DMSc, Professor, M.L. Hetland, MD, PhD, DMSc, Professor, DANBIO and Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research (COPECARE), Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, University Hospital of Copenhagen Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, and Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We summarize the recent literature published in the last 2 years on healthcare disparities observed in the delivery of rheumatology care by telemedicine. We highlight recent research dissecting the underpinnings of healthcare disparities and identify potentially modifiable contributing factors. RECENT FINDINGS The COVID-19 pandemic has had major impacts on care delivery and has led to a pronounced increase in telemedicine use in rheumatology practice. Telemedicine services are disproportionately underutilized by racial/ethnic minority groups and among patients with lower socioeconomic status. Disparities in telemedicine access and use among vulnerable populations threatens to exacerbate existing outcome inequalities affecting people with rheumatic disease. SUMMARY Telemedicine has the potential to expand rheumatology services by reaching traditionally underserved communities. However, some areas lack the infrastructure and technology to engage in telemedicine. Addressing health equity and the digital divide may help foster more inclusive telemedicine care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley E Jackson
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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9
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Bower H, Frisell T, di Giuseppe D, Delcoigne B, Ahlenius GM, Baecklund E, Chatzidionysiou K, Feltelius N, Forsblad-d'Elia H, Kastbom A, Klareskog L, Lindqvist E, Lindström U, Turesson C, Sjowall C, Askling J. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with inflammatory joint diseases in Sweden: from infection severity to impact on care provision. RMD Open 2021; 7:rmdopen-2021-001987. [PMID: 34880127 PMCID: PMC8655349 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-001987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To compare risks for COVID-19-related outcomes in inflammatory joint diseases (IJDs) and across disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) during the first two waves of the pandemic and to assess effects of the pandemic on rheumatology care provision. Methods Through nationwide multiregister linkages and cohort study design, we defined IJD and DMARD use annually in 2015–2020. We assessed absolute and relative risks of hospitalisation or death listing COVID-19. We also assessed the incidence of IJD and among individuals with IJD, rheumatologist visits, DMARD use and incidence of selected comorbidities. Results Based on 115 317 patients with IJD in 2020, crude risks of hospitalisation and death listing COVID-19 (0.94% and 0.33% across both waves, respectively) were similar during both waves (adjusted HR versus the general population 1.33, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.43, for hospitalisation listing COVID-19; 1.23, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.40 for death listing COVID-19). Overall, biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs)/targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (tsDMARDs) did not increase risks of COVID-19 related hospitalisation (with the exception of a potential signal for JAK inhibitors) or death. During the pandemic, decreases were observed for IJD incidence (−7%), visits to rheumatology units (−16%), DMARD dispensations (+6.5% for bDMARD/tsDMARDs and −8.5% for conventional synthetic DMARDs compared with previous years) and for new comorbid conditions, but several of these changes were part of underlying secular trends. Conclusions Patients with IJD are at increased risk of serious COVID-19 outcomes, which may partially be explained by medical conditions other than IJD per se. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has exerted measurable effects on aspects of rheumatology care provision demonstrated, the future impact of which will need to be assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Bower
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Frisell
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daniela di Giuseppe
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bénédicte Delcoigne
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gerd-Marfie Ahlenius
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine/Rheumatology, Umeå Universitet, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Eva Baecklund
- Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Nils Feltelius
- Swedish Medical Products Agency, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala Universitet, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Helena Forsblad-d'Elia
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Alf Kastbom
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linkopings Universitet, Linkoping, Sweden
| | - Lars Klareskog
- Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Lindqvist
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Rheumatology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulf Lindström
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Carl Turesson
- Rheumatology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Christopher Sjowall
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linkoping, Sweden
| | - Johan Askling
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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