Résumé
Background/Aims To assess the incidence and vulnerability of rheumatology patients to COVID-19 infection in early stages of pandemic. Methods Self completed questionnaire was posted to patients. Results Patients diagnosed with rheumatic diseases were categorised as people at high risk of infection with COVID-19 (pharmacologically immunosuppressed) and with possible worsening outcomes than the general population. This study was a self-completed questionnaire which was sent to all patients registered under a National Health Services specialist rheumatology department in the UK, between May 2020 and May 2021. A total of 610 responses were received and data was analysed statistically. The aim from this survey was to assess COVID19 infection prevalence amongst rheumatology patients under the care of this department, and to examine the profiles of patients with reported COVID-19 infection, their comorbidities, rheumatoidrelated medications and infection severity and outcome. Of 610 responders diagnosed with rheumatoid diseases, 12 patients (1.96%) received a diagnosis of COVID-19 based on their clinical presentation. However, when patients undertaken a Polymerase Chain Reaction test, only 2 patients (16.6%) returned positive results. In both the COVID-19 and non-COVID groups 60% were shielding (n=361). In our sample infection rate was around 30 times (1 in 50 rheumatoid patients, 2% in the sample population) the prevailing rate for the general population in the region (75 in 100,000, 0.075% in the general population). Negative testing did not preclude the presence of disease, but this may reflect poor efficacy and reliability of testing in the early days of the pandemic. The sample means and SD+/- were 63.96/ 13.23 for age and 27.76/5.79 for BMI. Sample population characteristics presented in Table 1. Conclusion This patient group were more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection compared to the general population but appear not to be at greater risk of severe disease.
Résumé
Aim: To assess the perception and fear of Saudi population who took COVID-19 toward dental treatment. Methodology: A cross-sectional pilot questionnaire study with 32 questions was distributed from 18 June, 2021 till 30 June, 2021 via social-media platforms. In addition, the inclusion criteria were Saudi, above 18 years old, and who took COVID-19 vaccine. A questionnaire included sociodemographic data, COVID-19 fear scale, dental clinic avoidance structured questions, and perception scale. After developing and translating the questionnaire into Arabic, Google Form was used to create an anonymous, self-administered web-based survey. For the categorical variables, descriptive statistics of frequency distribution and percentages were calculated using SPSS. Result: A total of 580 participants completed the survey;however, 48 were exduded because they did not fit with our inclusion criteria. In regarding to the fear of COWD-19, majority of male disagree with the fear of COVID-19 statements and have less fear than female (P<0.05). Yet, in one statement Q4 people with higher income were more afraid to lose their life (P<0.05). Furthermore, Educational-level and income were two variables that showed a significant relationship with P=0.05 in terms of perception. Conclusion: Fear scale after getting the vaccine is becoming less and people started seeking dental treatment with different concerns other than pain or emergency. Educational-level and income were the cause of different perceptions in participants. Although participants with postgraduate education mainly agree that dental office has strict disinfection route, but the dentist can get and transmitted COVID-19 from/to the patient.