Perceptions of risk in people with inflammatory arthritis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ryan, Sarah; Campbell, Paul; Paskins, Zoe; Manning, Fay; Rule, Katrina; Hassell, Andrew; Brooks, Michael; Hider, Samantha

Abstract

Objective
People with inflammatory arthritis have an increased incidence of serious illness and mortality, placing them at risk of poor outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study explored patients’ perceptions of risk from COVID-19 over a longitudinal period of the pandemic.

Methods
Fifteen adults with inflammatory arthritis attending a National Health Service rheumatology service each took part in three semi-structured telephone interviews conducted between 16 September 2020 and 29 July 2021. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was undertaken by two researchers and two public contributors.

Results
Four main themes relating to perceptions of risk from COVID-19 were identified: inflammatory arthritis; medications and co-morbidities; immediate social environment; health policy communication; and media influence. Participants recognized that having inflammatory arthritis increased their individual risk. Perceptions of risk and associated fear increased during the pandemic, influenced by family/friends who had had COVID-19 and health policy communications. The perceived constant use of negative messages led to many participants disengaging with the media. At the final interviews, when the vaccination programme was well established, participants continued to assess the risk and benefits of engaging in activities.

Conclusion
This study demonstrates the breadth of factors that influenced perceptions of risk in people with an inflammatory arthritis. As health professionals, we have only a small sphere of influence over some of these factors, namely health-care communications. People with inflammatory arthritis appropriately knew that their condition increased their infection risk, but more could be done to consider how and to what extent we involve patients in explaining risk at times of crisis.

Citation

Ryan, S., Campbell, P., Paskins, Z., Manning, F., Rule, K., Hassell, A., …Hider, S. (2022). Perceptions of risk in people with inflammatory arthritis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rheumatology Advances in Practice, 6(2), Article rkac050. https://doi.org/10.1093/rap/rkac050

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 30, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Jun 20, 2022
• Publication Date: Jun 20, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: May 30, 2023
• Journal: Rheumatology Advances in Practice
• Print ISSN: 2514-1775
• Electronic ISSN: 2514-1775
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 2
• Article Number: rkac050
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/rap/rkac050
• Keywords: RA; COVID-19; health communications; perceptions of risk; qualitative research
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/rheumap/advance-article/doi/10.1093/rap/rkac050/6611732