Kaitlyn D’Onofrio

DocwireNews

A study evaluated how patients with rheumatic diseases were impacted by the <a href="https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/hem-onc-picks/acute-leukemia-treatment-guidelines-repercussions-amid-the-covid-19-pandemic/">COVID-19 pandemic</a> during its initial stages in the United States.&ldquo;Patients with rheumatic diseases such as <a href="https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/rheumatology-picks/abbvie-drug-rinvoq-competitors/">rheumatoid arthritis (RA)</a> and lupus have increased risk of infection and are treated with medications that may increase this risk yet are also hypothesized to help treat COVID&#8208;19. We set out to understand how the COVID&#8208;19 pandemic has impacted the lives of these patients in the US,&rdquo; the study authors explained.The study included patients who were part of a longitudinal observational registry. A supplemental COVID-19 questionnaire was sent via email on March 25. Questions included patients&rsquo; two-week history of symptoms, COVID-19 testing, healthcare changes, and related experiences. Responses were compared based on diagnosis, disease activity, and new onset of symptoms.A total of 7,061 patients were invited to complete the questionnaire, of whom 530 responded. The most common diagnosis among the respondents was RA (61%). Of the 11 patients who met COVID-19 screening criteria, two sought testing unsuccessfully. An additional six patients sought testing, of whom three were successful, and all were negative. About two in five patients (42%) experienced a change to their care during the previous two weeks. Upon qualitative analysis, the researchers unearthed four key themes:<ul>
<li>emotions in response to the pandemic</li>
<li>perceptions of risks from immunosuppressive medications</li>
<li>protective measures to reduce risk of COVID&#8208;19 infection</li>
<li>disruptions in accessing rheumatic disease medications including hydroxychloroquine</li>
</ul>The results of the study were published in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acr2.11148">ACR Open Rheumatology</a>.&ldquo;After two weeks, many with rheumatic diseases already had important changes to their healthcare, with many altering medications without professional consultation or due to hydroxychloroquine shortage. As evidence accumulates on the effectiveness of potential COVID&#8208;19 treatments, effort is needed to safeguard access to established treatments for rheumatic diseases,&rdquo; the study authors concluded.

Jayme Locke, MD, MPH

Joel M. Topf, MD, FACP

The Promise of Xenotransplantation

NKF Spring Clinical Meetings 2025

Leah Lawrence

Real-World Data Backs Invasive DFS as Surrogate Endpoint for OS in EBC

HR Breast Cancer

Sacituzimab Govitecan Showed Modest Activity for CNS Metastases

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Latest News

Here’s How Rheumatic Patients Were Affected During the Early Days of the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19

A study evaluated how patients with rheumatic diseases were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic during its initial stages in the United States. ...

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertising

Contact Us

eNewsletters

Contribute

Career Center

MashupMD

Blood Cancers Today

Cancer Nursing Today

GU Oncology Now

Urban Health Today

Bile Duct Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Gastroesophageal Cancer

Gastric Cancer

GEP-NETs

GIST

Liver Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

GI Oncology Now

Anemia

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Essential Thrombocythemia

Hemophilia

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelofibrosis

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Polycythemia Vera

Pulmonary Embolism

Sickle Cell Disease

Thrombocytopenia

Thrombophilia

Thrombosis

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Venous Thromboembolism

von Willebrand Disease

Heme Today

Acute Kidney Injury

ADPKD

Anemia and Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease

COVID-19 and Kidney Disease

Diabetes and Hypertension

End-Stage Renal Disease

Gout

Hyperkalemia

IgAN

Kidney Transplantation

Metabolic Acidosis

Nephrology Times

HER2 Breast Cancer

Genetics & Breast Cancer

Breast Cancers Today

Atherosclerotic Disease

Atrial Fibrillation

Heart Failure

Hypertension

Interventional Cardiology

Lipid Management

Practice Tips With Dr. Lichaa

Preventive Cardiology

Stroke

Cardiology

Breast Cancer

Gynecologic Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Skin Cancer

Oncology

Sleep

Urology

Diabetes

Ophthalmology

— Demodex Blepharitis

Neurology

Rheumatology

Gastroenterology

Pulmonology

Infectious Diseases

— HIV

Health and Wellness

Lupus

Future of Medicine

Orthopedics

Pharmacology

Career News

More

Conferences

CardioNerds

The Sleep Source With Dr. Morse

Rheumatology Rounds With Dr. Maheswaranathan

Partners

Expert Interviews

Subscribe