AB0662 IMPACT OF THE SARS-CoV-2 PANDEMIC IN A POPULATION OF PATIENTS FOLLOWED IN A RHEUMATOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Authors: S. Lahrichi, K. Nassar, S. Janani
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2021)

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had various impacts onpatients’ realities. It had many physical but also psychological repercussions. It led to the onset of general stress, anxiety and depression affecting different age groups. In this study, we report the frequency of anxiety in patients followed in the department of rheumatology during the COVID-19 outbreak. Objectives: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in patients followed for inflammatory rheumatic disorders (IRD) or degenerative diseases in the Department of Rheumatology during the period of breakdown and health restrictions. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in the department of rheumatology over a 5-month period from August 2020 to December 2020.Included patients were followed for IRD or degenerative pathology in the department. A pre-established questionnaire collected the symptoms and results of COVID-19 tests, the possible deterioration of the general condition since breakdown, as well as the increase of the disease activity of the rheumatism, pain, fatigue, anxiety, and the onset of signs of depression or sleep disturbances.The impact of the decrease in physical activity and the cessation of basic treatments of rheumatism with the different causes was also collected. Results: 159 patients were included: 27 with Rheumatoid arthritis, 58 with Spondyloarthropathies, 32 with chondrocalcinosis, 9 with gouty arthropathies, and 33 with osteoarthritis. Of these, 15% had symptoms consistent with COVID-19. 25 patients performed the PCR test, of which 17 were positive and only 3 required hospitalization.None were put on oxygen. 32% reported a worsening of their rheumatism since the beginning of the epidemic, of which 35.9% reported increased pain and 21 noted a decrease in physical activity. 27.1% felt more stressed and irritated, and 14% felt more depressed. 54% had more sleepdisturbance, 22.2% had more fatigue compared to their state before the epidemic. 41.2% were afraid to come for consultation or hospitalization. 11.8% had stopped the basic treatment of their rheumatism, either for a shortage of the product in the pharmacy, or for the inability to obtain a travel authorization from the authorities Conclusion: The physical and mental impact of the COVID-19pandemic affected approximately one-third of our population. Patients described worsening rheumatism and pain, as well as impaired sleep, fatigue and anxiety[1].Decreased physical activity was associated with increased rheumatism activity and pain. More than 50% of the patients presented a deterioration in their physical and mental health linked to the health situation[2]. Our results are consistent with the literature. It is classically admitted that rheumatic pathologiesare disabling and therefore lead to a withdrawal into oneself, generating an anxious state. It is essential to assess the psychological status of patients followed for rheumatism in order to develop preventive treatments and prevent its worsening linked to the impact of the pandemic[3]. References: [1]ChenN,ZhouM,DongX,etal.Epidemiologicalandclinicalcharacteristicsof99casesof2019novelcoronaviruspneumoniainWuhan,China:adescriptivestudy.Lancet2020;395:50713 [2]GuanWJ,NiZY,HuY,etal.Clinicalcharacteristicsofcoronavirusdisease2019inChina.NEnglJMed2020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2002032 [3]HuangC,WangY,LiX,etal.Clinicalfeaturesofpatientsinfectedwith2019novelcoronavirusinWuhan,China.Lancet2020;395:497–5064 Disclosure of Interests: None declared.