S927 The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients With Ulcerative Colitis: Results From a Global Ulcerative Colitis Patient Survey

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges around disease management, lifestyle changes, and provision of care for patients (pts) with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: This UC Narrative global survey (United States, Canada, Japan, France, and Finland) was conducted by The Harris Poll between 25 August and 13 December 2021, among 584 pts with UC (confirmed by endoscopy) aged ≥ 18 years who had attended a gastroenterologist or internist’s office in the past 3 years, had not had a colectomy, and had ever taken prescription medication for UC. The survey aimed to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted pts with UC and assessed overall disease management, telehealth use, healthcare experience, perceived quality of care, emotional well-being, reliance on alternative support systems, and preferences for virtual/in-person interactions with doctors. Data were from pts who consented and completed the survey; analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Overall, 25% of pts experienced more UC flares during the pandemic than in 2019. Most pts taking prescription medication (88%) were very/somewhat satisfied with their current treatment plan but overall, 53% strongly/somewhat agreed that they were hesitant to change their treatment plan during the pandemic. Factors that pts agreed helped to control UC symptoms included having fewer social outings (37%), working from home (29%), and having less busy schedules (28%). Factors that pts agreed made controlling UC symptoms more difficult included having more anxiety/stress (43%), hesitancy to visit a hospital or office (34%), and being unable to get an appointment with their doctor (23%). Virtual appointments were more common during the pandemic than before, and more pts relied on alternative support systems for management of UC (Table). Overall, 79% were very/somewhat satisfied with their ability to access needed healthcare during the pandemic, and pts who used each appointment type were equally very satisfied/satisfied with the overall quality of care at in-person (81%) and virtual (81%) appointments. However, in-person appointments were preferred by 68% of pts when meeting a new doctor, 55% when experiencing a flare, 52% for regular check-ups, and 21% for UC prescription refills. Conclusion: During the pandemic, most pts with UC were satisfied with their current treatment plan and ability to access healthcare, and more pts relied on alternative support for management of UC, but many were negatively impacted by anxiety/stress. Table 1. - Disease management before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic: reliance on alternative support systems for management of ulcerative colitis Prior to the pandemic During the pandemic Plan to do after the pandemic Have never done or plan to do Talked openly with their doctor about how their disease impacts their life 54% 54% 44% 17% Set goals with their doctor for managing their disease 48% 46% 40% 25% Communicated with a nurse at their doctor’s office between appointments 45% 40% 34% 32% Used an online patient portal to contact their doctor’s office or see lab results 31% 47% 33% 32% Used social media to connect with other patients or learn about ulcerative colitis 24% 39% 27% 46% Used symptom tracking or disease management apps 23% 31% 29% 48% Relied on information from patient advocacy groups 19% 27% 22% 54% Relied on patient support groups 15% 22% 22% 59% Had virtual appointments with their doctor 13% 55% 32% 31%