Browsing by Author "Sapag, Ana"

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    Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on patients with rheumatic diseases in Latin America
    (2022) Fernandez-Avila, Daniel G.; Barahona-Correa, Julian; Romero-Alvernia, Diana; Kowalski, Sergio; Sapag, Ana; Cachafeiro-Vilar, Antonio; Melendez, Belia; Pastelin, Carlos; Palleiro, Daniel; Arrieta, Dina; Reyes, Gil; Pons-Estel, Guillermo J.; Then-Baez, Jossiell; Ugarte-Gil, Manuel F.; Cardiel, Mario H.; Colman, Nelly; Chavez, Nilmo; Burgos, Paula, I; Montufar, Ruben; Sandino, Sayonara; Fuentes-Silva, Yurilis J.; Soriano, Enrique R.
    The objective of our study was to describe knowledge, attitudes and practices of Latin-American rheumatology patients regarding management and follow-up of their disease during COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a digital anonymous survey. Rheumatic patients >= 18 years from non-English-speaking PANLAR countries were included. Our survey included 3502 rheumatic patients living in more than 19 Latin-American countries. Median age of patients was 45.8(36-55) years and the majority (88.9%) was female. Most frequently self-reported disease was rheumatoid arthritis (48.4%). At least one anti-rheumatic treatment was suspended by 23.4% of patients. Fear of contracting SARS-Cov2 (27.7%) and economic issues (25%) were the most common reasons for drug discontinuation. Self-rated disease activity increased from 30 (7-50) to 45 (10-70) points during the pandemic. Communication with their rheumatologist during the pandemic was required by 55.6% of patients, mainly by telephone calls (50.2%) and social network messages (47.8%). An adequate knowledge about COVID-19 was observed in 43% of patients. Patients with rheumatic diseases in Latin America were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. An increase in self-rated disease activity, a reduction in medication adherence, and hurdles for medical follow-up were reported. Teleconsultation was perceived as a valid alternative to in-person visits during the pandemic.
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    Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Rheumatology Practice in Latin America
    (2021) Fernandez-Avila, Daniel G.; Barahona-Correa, Julian; Romero-Alvernia, Diana; Kowalski, Sergio; Sapag, Ana; Cachafeiro-Vilar, Antonio; Melendez, Belia; Santiago-Pastelin, Carlos; Palleiro, Daniel; Arrieta, Dina; Reyes, Gil; Pons-Estel, Guillermo J.; Then-Baez, Jossiell; Ugarte-Gil, Manuel F.; Cardiel, Mario H.; Colman, Nelly; Chavez, Nilmo; Burgos, Paula, I; Montufar, Ruben; Sandino, Sayonara; Fuentes-Silva, Yurilis J.; Soriano, Enrique R.
    Objective. To describe the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on Latin American rheumatologists from a professional, economic, and occupational point of view. Methods. We conducted an observational cross-sectional study using an online survey sent to rheuma-tologists of each non-English-speaking country member of the Pan American League of Rheumatology Associations (PANLAR). A specific questionnaire was developed. Results. Our survey included 1097 rheumatologists from 19 Latin American countries. Median (IQR) age of respondents was 48 (40-59) years and 618 (56.3%) were female. Duration of practice since graduation as a rheumatologist was 17 years, and 585 (53.3%) were aged < 50 years. Most rheumatologists worked in private practice (81.8%) and almost half worked in institutional outpatient centers (55%) and inpatient care (49.9%). The median number of weekly hours (IQR) of face-to-face practice before the pandemic was 27 (15-40) hours, but was reduced to 10 (5-20) hours during the pandemic. Telehealth was used by 866 (78.9%) respondents during the pandemic. Most common methods of communication were video calls (555; 50.6%), telephone calls (499; 45.5%), and WhatsApp voice calls (423; 38.6%). A reduction in monthly wages was reported by 946 (86.2%) respondents. Consultation fees also were reduced and 88 (8%) rheumatologists stated they had lost their jobs. A reduction in patient adherence to medication was reported by nearly 50% of respondents. Eighty-one (7.4%) rheumatologists received a COVID-19 diagnosis and 7 (8.6%) of them were hospitalized. Conclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped rheumatology practice in Latin America and has had a profound effect on rheumatologists' behaviors and clinical practice.