Impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection and disease-2019 (COVID-19) on the quality of life of rheumatoid arthritis patients in Benin

Aim of the work To study the impact on the quality of life (QoL) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients following up in a university hospital in Benin during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Patients and methods The QoL of 68 RA patients was assessed using Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (MOS-SF36) scale across the physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) components scores. The disease activity score (DAS28) was considered. Patients accepting to participate and having a mean of communication via social network, in particular WhatsApp were included. Results The mean age of the patients was 49.9 ± 12.1 years (11-83 years) and were 65 females and 3 males. The mean DAS-28 at the start of the restriction measures was 3.4 ± 1.5, the mean PCS and MCS were 71.1 ± 20.3 and 67.1 ± 16.02 respectively and became 4.7 ± 2.04, 38.1 ± 4.96 and 36.8 ± 3.8 respectively. After 2 months, none of the RA patients presented with classic symptoms of COVID-19 infection. 8 patients were screened by Rapid Diagnostic Test and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction. Only 1 case was positive but asymptomatic. All patients had altered QoL according to MOS-SF36. Factors associated with this deterioration were stress related to SARS-CoV2 isolation (p = 0.001), stress of having an activity flare-up (p = 0.001), fear of being stigmatized (p = 0.009). The economic factors were significantly associated with temporary unemployment, decrease in monthly income, and drug discontinuation (p = 0.001, p = 0.002 and p = 0.046 respectively). Conclusion The impact of the SARS-CoV2 pandemic is negative on the QoL of RA patients and many factors were contributing.