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Patients with musculoskeletal diseases report worse symptoms during lockdown

People with bone, joint and muscle pain saw their symptoms worsen during lockdown, and those who experienced most social isolation and loneliness were less likely to access health care, according to a new research from the University of East Anglia.

In late April 2020, five weeks after the start of the UK lockdown, the researchers conducted an online survey in a group of patients with a range of musculoskeletal diseases to assess the effect measures had on their well-being and ability to access health care.

The survey targeted 1376 subjects enrolled on the Norfolk Arthritis Register and was also distributed to the wider UK population through social media and email lists from affiliated organisations. The survey was open from 28 April 2020 to 27 May 2020. In total, 678 respondents were included in the final analysis.

The majority (52.1%) reported that their musculoskeletal symptoms had increased since the start of the lockdown. Most respondents (88.2%) reported little difficulty accessing medication, but 44 per cent needed the assistance of others to do this.

A third of patients reported needing to access either their GP or hospital rheumatology department during this period.

The respondents gave equivocal responses when asked about the challenges in obtaining advice from health professionals. As might be expected, those who accessed health care reported significantly greater pain, stiffness and poorer general health (P<.01).

Individuals who reported greater social isolation (mean difference, 1.0 points; P=.02) and greater loneliness (mean difference, 0.6 points; P<.01) were less likely to access health care. Whilst these differences reflect relatively small differences in degrees of social isolation, their statistical significance indicates the wider effect on patient’s health-seeking behaviours, the authors said.

Co-author, Prof Alex MacGregor from the Rheumatology Department at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said: "This survey, conducted in the early stages of the UK lockdown, suggests that there have been immediate negative consequences for people with musculoskeletal disease."

"Should further isolation measures need to be enforced as we have seen in some part of the UK as the pandemic continues, particular efforts should be made to protect and support the socially isolated as a vulnerable group."

"Healthcare providers should reach out to individual patients who do not come forward for advice, and who might be silently struggling with their disease,” he added.


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