Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of care for juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients: insights from Thailand
Issued Date
2024-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
17501172
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85202966893
Journal Title
Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases
Volume
19
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases Vol.19 No.1 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Pinpattanapong R., Sukharomana M., Charuvanij S. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of care for juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients: insights from Thailand. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases Vol.19 No.1 (2024). doi:10.1186/s13023-024-03330-7 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/101132
Title
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of care for juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients: insights from Thailand
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Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
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Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted individuals with chronic conditions. This investigation assessed the quality of care provided to pediatric and adolescent patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) during the pandemic in Thailand. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis enrolled JIA patients aged ≤ 18 years at an academic tertiary care facility from April 2022 to March 2023. Retrospective reviews were performed, complemented by patient and caregiver questionnaires to assess the pandemic’s impact on care quality. Results: Seventy JIA patients (37 males, 33 females) with a mean age of 13.5 ± 3.1 years were included. A total of 41.4% of the caregivers reported negative impacts on JIA care due to the pandemic and the lockdown, and 31.4% of the patients experienced pandemic-related anxiety. A comparison between the pandemic and prepandemic periods revealed a higher incidence of active disease, although the difference was statistically nonsignificant (37.1% vs 14.2%, p = 0.106). Nonadherence significantly predicted active disease status (adjusted OR 15.04, 95% CI 2.48–91.15, p = 0.03). COVID-19 vaccinations were administered to 85.7% of patients; 52.8% of whom contracted mild COVID-19. Most patients (71.4%) postponed clinic visits; 36% due to lockdowns and 28% due to concerns about COVID-19 exposure in healthcare settings. The majority of patients received telephone JIA management advice from rheumatologists during the lockdown (91.4%). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown measures affected the care of JIA patients, impacting both physical and mental health. Nonadherence was a critical factor in disease flare-ups. Telemedicine is indispensable for patient care.