Effect of COVİD 19 pandemic and isolation on rheumatoid arthritis frequency and clinic

Objective: Various infectious agents have also been implicated in the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis, but a definite relationship could not be demonstrated. To obtain information about whether there is a difference between the number of newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients and previously diagnosed patients, the frequency of admission to the hospital, clinical findings at the time of admission and laboratory values during the Covid-19 pandemic period. Materials and Methods: Among the 3500 RA patients who applied to Akdeniz University Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Rheumatology Polyclinic, Akdeniz University Internal Diseases Rheumatology Polyclinic and Antalya Training and Research Hospital Rheumatology Polyclinic between March 2019 and March 2021 by scanning patient files, newly diagnosed patients were diagnosed within one year before the pandemic. 73 RA patients and 71 newly diagnosed RA patients within one year after the pandemic were divided into two groups and included in the study. The groups were compared by scanning the file system in terms of risk factors accused in the etiology of RA such as age, gender, menopause age, ox use, smoking, and clinical and laboratory features such as joint involvement, acute phase reactants, rf, anti-ccp, main values, and covid 19 history. New cases were called by phone and questioned in terms of hospital visits, compliance with treatment, missing anamnesis information and Covid 19 history. Results: In our study, in the group diagnosed with newly diagnosed RA before the pandemic, the mean age was 51.3, the female/male ratio was 2.2, the mean age at menopause was 46.8, ox use was 16%, smoking was 43.8%, family history was 10.9%, post-pandemic In the group diagnosed with new RA, the mean age was 49.1, the female/male ratio was 2.2, the mean age at menopause was 48.8, the use of oxtail was 19.6%, smoking 52.1%, family history 22.5%, and there was a significant statistical difference. not detected. In the comparison of the two groups, no significant difference was found in terms of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, crp, rf, anti ccp levels, main positivity and morning stiffness. A statistically significant difference was found between joint involvement and this difference was due to the oligoarticular and polyarticular groups (p=0.021). Conclusion: Medication compliance and regular doctor control are very important in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. During the pandemic, regular doctor visits of the patients were disrupted. No significant relationship was found between rheumatoid arthritis and Covid 19. Many questions remain unanswered about the relationship between RA and Covid-19. More studies are needed to understand the various individual risk factors involved in the etiology of RA and the long-term effects of Covid-19 in this population. As more cases are seen, we will continue to learn more about the relationship between this new infection, covid-19, and rheumatic diseases. Key words: Rheumatoid arthritis, covid-19