Investigation the Frequency of COVID-19 in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors
- Mohammad Taha Taheri - Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran.
- Mohammadreza Ameri - Medical-Surgical Nursing Student, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Amirreza Mohammadmohammadi - Laboratory Science Student, Student Research Committee, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran.
-
Ali Hosseinzadeh
- Center for Health Related Social and Behavioral Sciences Research, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0055-9408
-
Reza Jafari *
- School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6362-7933
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22100/jkh.v20i4.3579Keywords:
COVID-19, Rheumatoid Arthritis, SARS_COV_2, Combined trainingAbstract
Introduction: Given that patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) often experience immune system dysfunction and are treated with immunosuppressive drugs, making them more susceptible to infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Therefore, this study aims to ascertain the frequency of COVID-19 in patients diagnosed with RA.
Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 100 patients with RA referred to the polyclinic at Imam Hossein (PBUH) Hospital in Shahroud City. Patients with active RA and a positive rheumatoid factor (RF) were included using a census method. Demographic characteristics (age and gender) and the number of COVID-19 cases among the patients were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire. Information regarding the number of vaccine doses received, type of vaccine, and disease severity was extracted from the comprehensive patient information registration system.
Results: In this study, 94% of patients with RA had received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Of the administered vaccines, 85% were of Sinopharm type, while 15% were of AstraZeneca type. The results revealed that 79% of patients with RA contracted COVID-19. Among those who contracted COVID-19, 70.89% (n=56) had a mild form, 15.19% (n=12) had a moderate form, and 13.92% (n=11) experienced a severe form of the disease.
Conclusion: Considering the high frequency of COVID-19 among RA patients compared to healthy individuals, it is suggested that necessary measures and strategies for the care and prevention of these patients from contracting respiratory infections, such as COVID-19, be taken into consideration.
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