Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Kocaeli Tıp Dergisi, cilt.11, sa.1, ss.180-190, 2022 (Hakemli Dergi)
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of anxiety due to Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) who used immunosuppressive drugs during the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the risk and protective factors that cause anxiety. Method: A total of 145 patients with RMDs who used regular immunosuppressive drugs and 95 healthy controls were included. An anonymous survey comprising questions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic was used, and the Beck anxiety inventory (BAI). Results: About 42.1% patients reported that the epidemic caused concern due to the drug they were using, 33.8% rated their concerns as moderate and severe. According to the BAI scores, 16.5% patients had moderate to severe anxiety symptoms; and comparison of the groups showed that the anxiety level of the patient group was significantly higher (38.6% vs. 18.9%, p=0.001). Female had more anxiety symptoms in both groups (p<0.005). In addition, anxiety was lower in patients with higher education levels (p=0.039). Conclusion: : It should be ensured that patients in the high-risk group are not provided false information, the patients are individually informed, and they trust the treatment team. Providing online or smartphone-based psychoeducation and psychological interventions may be considered for these patients with high anxiety levels.