Abstract
Objectives: To establish, amongst Irish rheumatic musculoskeletal disease (RMD) patients, rates of COVID-19 symptoms and positive tests, DMARD adherence and attitudes to virtual clinics.
Methods: An online survey assessing COVID-19 status, RMD diagnoses, adherence and information sources was disseminated via the Arthritis Ireland website and social media channels.
Results: There were 1381 respondents with 74.8% on immunosuppressive medication. Symptoms of COVID-19 were reported by 3.7% of respondents of which 0.46% tested positive, consistent with the general Irish population. The frequency of COVID-19 symptoms was higher for respondents with spondyloarthropathy [odds ratio (OR) 2.06, 95% CI: 1.14, 3.70] and lower in those on immunosuppressive medication (OR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27, 0.88), and those compliant with health authority (HSE) guidance (OR 0.47, 95% CI: 0.25, 0.89). Adherence to RMD medications was reported in 84.1%, with 57.1% using health authority guidelines for information on medication use. Importantly, adherence rates were higher amongst those who cited guidelines (89.3% vs 79.9%, P <0.001), and conversely lower in those with COVID-19 symptoms (64.0% vs 85.1%, P =0.009). Finally, the use of virtual clinics was supported by 70.4% of respondents.
Conclusion: The rate of COVID-19 positivity in RMD patients was similar to the general population. COVID-19 symptoms were lower amongst respondents on immunosuppressive medication and those adherent to medication guidelines. Respondents were supportive of HSE advice and virtual clinics.
Keywords: COVID-19; immunosuppression; infection; medication adherence; rheumatoid arthritis.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, Infection, Immunosuppression, rheumatoid arthritis, medication adherence, 【초록키워드】 adherence, media, Symptom, rheumatoid arthritis, clinics, Patient, Ireland, General population, medication, information, disease, patients, Guidance, Frequency, COVID-19 symptom, Health authority, Musculoskeletal, website, diagnoses, positive, Immunosuppressive medication, respondent, tested, reported, supported, adherent, with COVID-19, 【제목키워드】 medication, disease, Musculoskeletal, infection rates,