ArticleClinical rheumatology2020
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on rheumatology practice: a cross-sectional multinational study.
Article in Clinical rheumatology, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 26 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
26 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Telehealth in rheumatology: the 2021 Arab League of Rheumatology Best Practice Guidelines.Rheumatology international · 2022Guideline
- Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Symptoms in Women with Rheumatic Disease of Reproductive Age: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Article
- Social media in advancing equity and collaboration in rheumatology: the CORDIALITY review.RMD open · 2025Review
- Burnout syndrome among rheumatologists and rheumatology fellows in Arab countries: an ArLAR multinational study.Clinical rheumatology · 2024Article
- Patient perspectives on telemedicine use in rheumatology during the COVID-19 pandemic: survey results from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance.Clinical rheumatology · 2024Article
- The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on rheumatic disease patients' satisfaction with access to medical services.Rheumatology international · 2024Observational
- The rheumatology workforce in the Arab countries: current status, challenges, opportunities, and future needs from an ArLAR cross-sectional survey.Rheumatology international · 2023Article
- Academic publication activities and perspectives of rheumatology practitioners in the COVID-19 pandemic.Archives of rheumatology · 2023Article
- The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric rheumatology practice: an international, cross-sectional survey study.Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism · 2023Article
- Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the management of patients with RA: a survey of rheumatologists in six European countries.Rheumatology advances in practice · 2023Article
- Rapid Review of Medication Taking (Adherence) Among Patients With Rheumatic Diseases During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Arthritis care & research · 2022Article
- Telehealth Made EASY: Understanding Provider Perceptions of Telehealth Appropriateness in Outpatient Rheumatology Encounters.ACR open rheumatology · 2022Article
- The impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the management of rheumatic disease: a national clinician-based survey.Rheumatology international · 2022Article
- Public interest in musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic : Infodemiology study.Zeitschrift fur Rheumatologie · 2022Article
- Patients with rheumatic diseases are ready to use social media in clinical practice; what about rheumatologists? A cross-sectional survey.Rheumatology international · 2022Article
- The positive side of the coin: Sars-Cov-2 pandemic has taught us how much Telemedicine is useful as standard of care procedure in real life.Clinical rheumatology · 2022Review
- Evaluation of a Non-Face-to-Face Multidisciplinary Health Care Model in a Population with Rheumatoid Arthritis Vulnerable to COVID-19 in a Health Emergency Situation.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021Article
- Increased Prevalence of Neuropsychiatric Disorders during COVID-19 Pandemic in People Needing a Non-Deferrable Neurological Evaluation.Journal of clinical medicine · 2021Article
- Article
- Telerheumatology: A Narrative Review.Rheumatology and immunology research · 2021Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveTo evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on rheumatology practice.
methodA cross-sectional web survey was designed by the members of the Arab League of Associations for Rheumatology (ArLAR), validated by its scientific committee and disseminated through e-mail and social media. It included close-ended questions about the impact of the pandemic on the rheumatology activities, including outpatient visits and hospitalizations (in percentage, 100% corresponds to complete suspension) and open-ended questions about unmet needs. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the predictors of impact. Suggestions were developed to improve the practice.
resultsA total of 858 rheumatologists were included in the analysis (27.3% of registered in ArLAR), 37% were 35-44 years old, 60% were females, and 48% worked in the private sector. The impact of COVID-19 was a decrease of 69% in hospitalizations, 65% in outpatient clinic, 56% in infusion centers, and 43% in income. It was associated with the region (highest in the Gulf), use of telemedicine, impact on income and practice sector (lowest in private). There was a hydroxychloroquine shortage in 47%. Telemedicine was mostly based on traditional telephone contacts and e-mails and reimbursed in 12%. Fifteen rheumatologists (1.8%) were infected and 156 cases of COVID-19 were reported among patients. The top-cited unmet needs in rheumatology practice were access to drugs and a telemedicine platform.
conclusionsThe negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rheumatology practice may compromise rheumatic diseases control. Better access to drugs and providing telemedicine platforms are recommended to improve the practice. Key Points • The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on the rheumatology practice, including access to outpatient clinic, hospitalization, and to anchor drugs. • The compromised access to rheumatology care may jeopardize the control of chronic rheumatic diseases and the long-term prognosis. • Better access to drugs and providing telemedicine platforms are strongly recommended.
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