Table 2.
Protective measures taken for COVID-19, source of information and influence of the pandemic
| During COVID-19 pandemic parameters |
RA patients (n = 1037) n (%) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Work affected | 470 | (45.3) |
| Mild | 207 | (20) |
| Moderate | 88 | (8.5) |
| Severe | 129 | (12.4) |
| Lost | 46 | (4.4) |
| Protective measures taken | ||
| Staying at home | 612 | (59) |
| Wearing a mask | 812 | (79.3) |
| Keeping social distancing | 597 | (57.6) |
| Using disinfectants/alcohol | 492 | (47.4) |
| Source of information on COVID-19 | ||
| Physicians | 428 | (41.3) |
| Friends | 424 | (40.9) |
| Media | 775 | (74.7) |
| Social media | 370 | (35.7) |
| Websites | 153 | (14.8) |
| Others (relatives/MOH/at work) | 21 | (2) |
| Consider their knowledge sufficient | 408 | (39.3) |
| Stopped or reduced taking NSAIDs | 171 | (16.5) |
| Considered complementary therapy | 228 | (22) |
| Received HCQ for prevention | 127 | (12.2) |
| Needed hospitalization | 70 | (6.8) |
| Activity | 30 | (42.9) |
| COVID-19 | 26 | (37.1) |
| Others* | 14 | (20) |
| Found Difficulty in Hospitalization | 48 | (4.6) |
| History of COVID-19 Infection | ||
| Close relatives affected | 320 | (30.9) |
| Protective measures considered | 310 | (29.9) |
| Patient with suspected COVID-19 | 97 | (9.4) |
| Free after treatment | 38 | (39.2) |
| Carrier | 29 | (29.9) |
| Still infected | 30 | (30.9) |
| The disease was affected (flare) | 123 | (11.9) |
| Change in the RA medications | 85 | (8.2) |
NSAIDs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, HCQ: hydroxychloroquine, RA: rheumatoid arthritis, and MOH: Ministry of health. *Others: include respiratory distress and exacerbated asthma in 3, diabetic coma in 2, renal colic/stone in 2, hematologic dyscrasias in 2, uncontrolled hypertension, myocardial infarction, very low potassium, meniscal tear and abortion in one patient each