Assessment of Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Perspective of Patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases in Europe: Results from the REUMAVID Study (Phase 1)

Abstract

Background: The aim is to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).Methods: REUMAVID is a web-based survey developed by an international multidisciplinary patient-led collaboration across seven European countries targeting unselected adult patients with RMD. Questions pertained to access to healthcare, daily activities and quality of life, disease activity and function, wellbeing (WHO-5), general health status, mental health (HADS), access to information, as well as COVID-19 related hopes and fears. Data were collected at two time points, coinciding with the first and second wave of the pandemic. Here, we present the data collected during the first wave (April-July 2020). Findings: The survey included 1,800 patients with 15 different RMDs (37.2% axial spondyloarthritis, 29·2% rheumatoid arthritis, 17·2% osteoarthritis, and others), a mean age of 52, 80% were female, and 49% who had undertaken university studies. During the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, 58·4% had their rheumatologist appointment cancelled and 15·8% reported changes to their medication. Regarding habits, 24·6% increased smoking, 18·2% raised their alcohol consumption, and 45.6% were unable to continue exercising. Health status was reported as “fair to very bad” in 63·9%, with 57·3% and 45·9% being at risk of anxiety and depression, respectively. The main source of information on COVID-19 and RMDs were patient organisations (27·6%), with 45·6% reporting not having received any information.Interpretation. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, RMD patients have experienced disruption in access to healthcare services, limited access to credible information, poor lifestyle habits, and negative effects on their overall health, mental health, and wellbeing.Funding: This study was supported by Novartis Pharma AG.Declaration of Interests: HM-O is supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (LBRC). The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the (UK) National Health Service (NHS), the NIHR, or the (UK) Department of Health. HM-O reports grant/research support from: Janssen and Novartis, consultant for: AbbVie, Celgene, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, speakers’ bureau: AbbVie, Biogen, Celgene, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Takeda and UCB. LC is an employee of Novartis Pharma AG CJ has received grant funding from Abbvie, Amgen, Biogen, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi & UCB DW has received grant funding from AbbVie, Biogen, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis and UCB. SI, has received funding from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund. SM reports unrelated honoraria from Novartis, GSK and Bayer. EFM has received support for specific activities: grants and non-financial from Pfizer, grants from Lilly Portugal, Sanofi, AbbVie, Novartis, Grünenthal S.A., MSD, Celgene, Medac, Janssen-Cilag, Pharmakern, GAfPA, and non-financial support from Grünenthal GmbH. VN-C reports honoraria/research support from: Abbvie, BMS, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB.Ethics Approval Statement: REUMAVID was first approved by the ethical committee of University Hospital La Paz under the code PI-4121, and was subsequently approved in all other participating countries as legally required. Prior to participating in the survey, participants gave informed consent.