ABSTRACT
Objectives: COVID-19 is an acute respiratory infection caused by the new coronavirus that has spread around the world, becoming an international public health emergency. Studies have shown a high prevalence of psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder in patients after the infection, a situation that can be evenmore pronounced in patients with chronic diseases such as Immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IRMD). The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 infection and pandemic on patients with IRMD as well as to describe the epidemiological profile of the selected population. Method(s): A longitudinal cohort observational study was carried out with a comparison group, based on the analysis of data from patients of Project Reumacov, organized by de Brazilian Society of Rheumatology, in Manaus/ Amazonas. Data regarding the psychological impact was obtained through the application of DASS-21 forms, which evaluated levels of depression, anxiety and stress. Possible answers were divided into four categories according to the frequency of the symptoms presented, such as Not applicable;Present for a short time;Present for a significant amount of time or Present most of the time. Result(s): In total, 283 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 44 years and the majority of the patients were female. The most frequent diagnosis was systemic lupus erythematosus, followed by rheumatoid arthritis. Of the patients included, 270 answered the DASS-21 questionnaire, being 152 in the Case group (patients with COVID-19) and 118 in the Control group (patients without COVID-19). There was a significant statistic correlation between high levels of depression, anxiety and stress and the presence of COVID-19 related symptoms. Conclusion(s): Our study demonstrated that high levels of stress, depression and anxiety were associated to the coronavirus infection. It is, however, difficult to determine whether this scenario is a result of a physiological response to the infection or a consequence of the social context of a pandemic. This knowledge may contribute to a better understanding of COVID-19 infection and its repercussions as well as to highlight the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach aimed at the mental health of patients with rheumatic diseases.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRD) constitute an important subgroup of immunosuppressed patients at risk of developing severe infections. Since coronavirus 19 infection (COVID-19) is an international public health emergency, it is necessary to observe the relationship between this viral infection and the development or intensification of the clinical course of IMRD and the persistence of new associated symptoms. The aim of this study is to trace this population's epidemiological profile and evaluate the frequency of chronic fatigue syndrome in patients with IMRD and COVID-19 compared to uninfected patients. Method(s): This is a descriptive cross-sectional observational study with a comparison group. The sociodemographic, clinical, and FACIT-F Fatigue Scale data were from patients with IMRD of Project Reumacov, organized by the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology, locally inManaus/Amazonas. The statistical analysis was performed through the inferential method to demonstrate the prevalence. Result(s): 268 patients were evaluated, those who had contact with COVID-19 had fatigue according with the fatigue assessment scale compared to unexposed patients. There was a statistically significant correlation between fatigue post-COVID-19 infection in the patients studied. Conclusion(s): Clinically relevant fatigue was a prevalent and commonly reported symptom in the post-COVID-19 period in the evaluated population. These data should direct attention to the reported manifestations as they affect the functioning of individuals' socioeconomic and health well-being throughout the pandemic period and beyond.