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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Appropriateness of Diagnostic Pathways of Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases.
Carbone, Teresa; Picerno, Valentina; Pafundi, Vito; Esposito, Ernesto; Leccese, Pietro; Padula, Angela Anna; D'Angelo, Salvatore.
  • Carbone T; T. Carbone, PhD, Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Azienda Sanitaria di Matera (ASM), Matera.
  • Picerno V; V. Picerno, MD, P. Leccese, MD, A.A. Padula, MD, S. D'Angelo, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Institute of Lucania - San Carlo Hospital, Potenza.
  • Pafundi V; V. Pafundi, MD, Immunopathology Laboratory, San Carlo Hospital, Potenza; vito.pafundi@ospedalesancarlo.it.
  • Esposito E; E. Esposito, MD, Health Department, Basilicata Region, Potenza, Italy.
  • Leccese P; V. Picerno, MD, P. Leccese, MD, A.A. Padula, MD, S. D'Angelo, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Institute of Lucania - San Carlo Hospital, Potenza.
  • Padula AA; V. Picerno, MD, P. Leccese, MD, A.A. Padula, MD, S. D'Angelo, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Institute of Lucania - San Carlo Hospital, Potenza.
  • D'Angelo S; V. Picerno, MD, P. Leccese, MD, A.A. Padula, MD, S. D'Angelo, MD, PhD, Rheumatology Institute of Lucania - San Carlo Hospital, Potenza.
J Rheumatol ; 49(2): 219-224, 2022 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1518659
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

Early diagnosis of autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) is key to achieving effective treatment and improving prognosis. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to major changes in clinical practice on a global scale. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rheumatological clinical practice and autoimmunity testing demands.

METHODS:

Data regarding the first rheumatological visits and new diagnoses, together with the autoimmunity laboratory testing volumes related to the COVID-19 pandemic phase (January-December 2020), were collected from medical records and the laboratory information system of a regional reference hospital (Basilicata, Italy) and compared with those obtained during the corresponding period in 2019.

RESULTS:

A significant decrease in the 2020 autoimmunity laboratory test volume was found when compared with the same period in 2019 (9912 vs 14,100; P < 0.05). A significant decrease in first rheumatological visits and diagnosis (1272 vs 2336; P < 0.05) was also observed. However, an equivalent or higher percentage of positive autoimmunity results from outpatient services was recorded during 2020 when compared to the prepandemic state. Of note, COVID-19-associated decline in new diagnoses affected mainly less severe diseases. In contrast, ARDs with systemic involvement were diagnosed at the same levels as in the prepandemic period.

CONCLUSION:

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected access to health services. However, our study highlighted that during the outbreak, greater appropriateness of the requests for laboratory tests and visits emerged, as shown by a greater percentage of positive test results and new diagnoses of more severe ARDs compared to the prepandemic period.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Rheumatic Diseases / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: J Rheumatol Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Rheumatic Diseases / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: J Rheumatol Year: 2022 Document Type: Article