Services on Demand
Journal
Article
Indicators
Cited by SciELO
Access statistics
Related links
Cited by Google
Similars in SciELO
Similars in Google
Share
Revista Colombiana de Reumatología
Print version ISSN 0121-8123
Abstract
HERNANDEZ-ZAMBRANO, Sandra Milena et al. Modifications in self-care, quality of life and therapeutic adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic treated by telehealth. Rev.Colomb.Reumatol. [online]. 2022, vol.29, n.4, pp.293-302. Epub Aug 12, 2023. ISSN 0121-8123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcreu.2022.03.009.
Introduction:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation, causing pain and stiffness in the joints. SARS-CoV-2 increases the clinical vulnerability of the population with RA and has led to the implementation and/or development of telemedicine.
Objective:
To describe changes in level of therapeutic adherence, quality of life and capacity for self-care agency, during the follow-up period of a group of patients linked to a non-face-to-face multidisciplinary consultation model during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Methodology:
Descriptive cohort study (July to October 2020). Description of the level of therapeutic adherence (Morisky Green Test), quality of life (EuroQOL-5-Dimensions-3-Level-version) and self-care capacity (ASA-R Scale) in the context of a telehealth model. A univariate and bivariate analysis was performed (Stata Software, Considered p-value <0.05).
Results:
Of 71 patients treated under the telehealth model, 85.9% were women, the age range was between 33 and 86 years with a median of 63. The most prevalent comorbidity was arterial hypertension (35.2%). Quality of life did not change during follow-up nor did adherence to treatment, apart from in one item [the patients did not stop taking the medication when they were well (p = 0.029)]. In self-care capacity, there were significant improvements in five dimensions (p < 0.05), without significant differences in the global score.
Conclusion:
Patients with RA evaluated in the context of telehealth in a period of pandemic did not present significant changes in quality of life, adherence to treatment, or capacity for self-care, and remained close to baseline values when they attended a traditional face-to-face assessment.
Keywords : Rheumatoid arthritis; Telehealth; Quality of life; Self-care and treatment adherence; COVID-19.