ASSOCIATED FACTORS of FALL or FRACTURE REPORTED by RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS in ELECTRONIC MDHAQ during COVID-19 PANDEMIC

ABSTRACT

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use telemedicine for rheumatologic patients. Patient reported outcomes (PRO) can provide prioritization criteria for the form of face-to-face care in situations of social restriction, and optimization of early care by identifying high-risk patients. Objectives: Our aim was to demonstrate the main associated factors for a fall or fracture reported by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in an electronic MDHAQ (Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire) during this period. Methods: Patients with RA according to 2010 ACR/EULAR and access to digital platforms were enrolled in the study, from January to august 2021. A weblink was sent to MDHAQ in electronic platform. The study was approved by the ethics committee of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre-Brazil and all patients agreed with a Term of Informed Consent. Results: A total of 129 RA patients completed the electronic MDHAQ, mean age was 60 years (S.D. 14) and 83% were female. The mean DAS28, SDAI and HAQ were 3.8 (S.D. 1.6), 14.2 (S.D. 11.0) and 1. 2 (S.D. 0.7). Of those 129 patients, 14 reported a fall or fracture in the last 6 months of response and only 16 patients were physically active. Relevant symptoms known as factors associated with risk of fall and its prevalence in this study were pain (82%), followed by articular pain (68%), fatigue (43%), muscle weakness (37%) and weight gain (22%). Among patients who reported a fall or fracture, 83% had a RADAI ≥ 16 and mean FAST3 (Fibromyalgia Assessment Screening Test) index of 19 (IC95 % 17-21). FAST3 based on MDHAQ and independent RADAI showed positively association with a reported fall or fracture for these patients, with a p value of 0.023 and 0.025, respectively. Other factors, such as high disease activity based on DAS28 or MDHAQ, obesity and age were not statistically signifcant with the reported episode. Conclusion: Maintaining PRO is aligned with patient-centered care, allowing relevant data source and identifcation of high-risk patients-in our study patients in pain, sedentary and in major risk of fracture. Also, use of combined in like FAST3 or independent articular pain scores such as RADAI, might be helpful to identify those high-risk patients in need for orientation for reinforcement of physical activity, prioritization for in person visits and early clinical adjustments.