The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant psychological distress among patients withchronic diseases. Individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapies may experienceincreased anxiety due to perceived vulnerability to infection. This observational studyaims to compare coronavirus-related anxiety levels in patients using biologicdisease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and those using conventionaldisease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (cDMARDs).Adult patients followed at the rheumatology outpatient clinic were contacted bytelephone. After verbal consent was obtained, participants completed a patientinformation form and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale. Anxiety levels and pandemic-relatedexperiences were compared between treatment groups.
This observational cohort study was conducted at the Rheumatology outpatient clinic of
Uludag University Faculty of Medicine. The study included adult patients diagnosed with
rheumatic diseases who were receiving either biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs) or conventional
DMARDs (cDMARDs).
During the COVID-19 pandemic period, patients were contacted by telephone and informed
about the study. Verbal consent was obtained prior to data collection. Demographic and
clinical characteristics were recorded using a structured patient information form.
Coronavirus-related anxiety was assessed using the validated Coronavirus Anxiety Scale.
The primary objective was to compare anxiety scores between patients receiving biologic
and conventional DMARD therapy. Secondary analyses explored patients' perceptions of
infection risk and their experiences during the pandemic period.
No intervention, treatment modification, or additional clinical procedure was performed.
The study design is observational, and all data were collected at a single time point.
Other: Current treatment (no intervention assigned)
Participants are grouped based on their current prescribed DMARD regimen; no study
intervention is administered.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age ≥18 years
- Diagnosis of rheumatic disease
- Currently receiving biologic or conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
(DMARDs)
- Followed at the rheumatology outpatient clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic period
- Provided verbal informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Age <18 years
- Inability to complete telephone interview
- Cognitive impairment preventing reliable questionnaire response
- Refusal to participate
Bursa City Hospital
Bursa, Türkiye, Turkey (Türkiye)
Not Provided