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Understanding the experiences of individuals with immunosuppressive conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic (UNIFIED)
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Scientific Study Title:
Understanding the experiences of individuals with immunosuppressive conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic ( UNIFIED )
Start Date:
  • April 2020
End Date:
  • May 2023
Research Category
Tags
Mary De Vera, Research Team Member, Arthritis Research Canada
Mary De Vera
MSc, PhD, Associate Director of Training, Senior Scientist, Pharmacoepidemiology
Kamran Shojania, Research Team Member, Arthritis Research Canada
Kamran Shojania
Clinical Trialist, Rheumatology, MD, FRCPC
Eileen Davidson for web
Eileen Davidson
Member
J. Antonio Aviña-Zubieta, Research Team Member, Arthritis Research Canada
J. Antonio Aviña-Zubieta
Senior Scientist, Rheumatology, MD, MSc, PhD, FRCP

Why did we do this research?

Reason For Research

In December 2019, SARS-COV-2 was identified as a new respiratory illness and eventually declared a global pandemic (COVID-19). To slow the spread of COVID-19, public health measures such as physical distancing and changes to the delivery of health care (e.g., virtual appointments, delayed surgery/treatment) were established.

Individuals with rheumatic diseases are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, as they are at greater risk of other health issues and infections. To optimize healthcare delivery and provide better support to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, we aimed to understand the impacts of COVID-19 on the care, treatment, and mental health of individuals living with rheumatic diseases. Specifically, we wanted to understand how patients felt about virtual health appointments during the pandemic and examine how loneliness and social isolation relate to depression and anxiety.

What did we do?

Execution of Research

This study was conducted in two parts, both using international online surveys (available in English and French) to collect information from adults (age 18+) with rheumatic diseases. We recruited participants through social media, supported by patient partners and Arthritis Research Canada.

Part 1 included a survey that was open between April – June 2020 and asked about demographics, disease types, treatments, and experiences with virtual rheumatology care.

Part 2 included two surveys:

  1. baseline (April – Sept 2020), and
  2. follow-up (Dec 2020 – Feb 2021).

We asked about:

  • demographics, such as disease type and treatments. and
  • mental health, such as:
    • feelings of loneliness (via the UCLA Loneliness Scale),
    • social isolation (via the Lubben Social Network Scale),
    • depression (via the Patient Health Questionnaire), and
    • anxiety (via the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale).

Related Publications

  • Howren, A., Aviña-Zubieta, J. A., Rebić, N., Dau, H., Gastonguay, L., Shojania, K., Davidson, E., & De Vera, M. A. (2020). Virtual rheumatology appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic: an international survey of perspectives of patients with rheumatic diseases. Clinical rheumatology, 39(11), 3191–3193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-020-05338-3
  • Howren, A., Avina-Zubieta, J. A., Puyat, J. H., Da Costa, D., Xie, H., Davidson, E., Rebić, N., Gastonguay, L., Dau, H., & De Vera, M. A. (2023). Impact of Loneliness and Social Isolation on Mental Health Outcomes Among Individuals With Rheumatic Diseases During the COVID-19 Pandemic. ACR open rheumatology, 5(5), 243–250. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr2.11539

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