Experience of Inflammatory Arthritis patients during COVID-19 pandemic
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Exploration of the Experiences of Patients with Inflammatory Arthritis during the Coronavirus Pandemic
IRAS ID
284471
Contact name
Sarah Ryan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Keele University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Patients with inflammatory arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis) have an increased risk of serious illness and death if they contract coronavirus due to immunosuppressant medication, their auto immune condition and related co-morbidities. Consequently many patients meet the British Society of Rheumatology (BSR 2020) criteria to “shield”. Shielding requires the patient to remain at home for 3 months. For patients that are not required to ‘shield’ the effect on the management of their arthritis can still be considerable, in terms of not being able to attend for face-to-face rheumatology consultations or experiencing changes in their work environment. Measures implemented during the coronavirus pandemic, including social distancing, the lack of social support and the closure of leisure facilities are likely to impact on the individual’s normal coping strategies.
Exercise opportunities will be limited within the house and not all patients have access to a garden. Many patients will rely on social support, in the form of friends and family, and for those patients shielding on their own, access to traditional support sources may no longer be available. Patients may adopt a range of different coping strategies to reduce the potential negative impact of shielding or may feel helpless to address the situation.
The main aim of undertaking this research is to understand the experience of patients with an inflammatory arthritis, during the coronavirus pandemic in terms of the potential impact on physical, psychological and social health, whilst also identifying the current and ongoing health and support needs that patients have. Through understanding the patient’s experience, the rheumatology department will be able to identify areas for potential service improvement.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/HRA/3406
Date of REC Opinion
3 Aug 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion