Abstract
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have adopted community containment to manage COVID-19. These measures to reduce human contact, such as social distancing, are deemed necessary to contain the spread of the virus and protect those at increased risk of developing complications following infection with COVID-19. People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are advised to adhere to even more stringent restrictions compared to the general population, and avoid any social contact with people outside their household. This social isolation combined with the anxiety and stress associated with the pandemic, is likely to particularly have an impact on mental health and psychological wellbeing in people with RA. Increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour can improve mental health and psychological wellbeing in RA. However, COVID-19 restrictions make it more difficult for people with RA to be physically active and facilitate a more sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, guidance is necessary for people with RA to adopt a healthy lifestyle within the constraints of COVID-19 restrictions to support their mental health and psychological wellbeing during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Highlights
On January 30 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern
A large proportion of people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have cardiovascular disease or hypertension,[1] which by itself are associated with an increased mortality risk of COVID-19.2,3 Despite some preliminary evidence that infection risk in RA was not increased during previous coronavirus outbreaks[4] and that the risk of complications following COVID-19 infections is not increased in people with RA,[5] healthcare professionals’ recommendations for people with RA on immunosuppressive medication is to self-isolate or shield
The public health management of the COVID-19 outbreak is different. On top of these isolation and quarantine measures used for those with symptoms or those who have been exposed to people carrying the virus, community containment is in place affecting whole cities, regions or entire countries to stop the spread of the virus.[8]
Summary
On January 30 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus ( known as COVID-19) a public health emergency of international concern.
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