Changing Patterns of Medical Visits and Factors Associated with No-show in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis during COVID-19 Pandemic
10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e423
- Author:
Yena KIM
1
;
Eunyoung AHN
;
Sunggun LEE
;
Doo-Ho LIM
;
Aran KIM
;
Seung-Geun LEE
;
Min Wook SO
Author Information
1. Department of Nursing, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2020;35(48):e423-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:The main barrier to the effective rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy is poor adherence. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have led to a significant change in the pattern and the number of medical visits. We assessed changing patterns of medical visits and no-show, and identified factors associated with no-show in patients with RA during COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:RA patients treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs at least 6 months who had been in remission or those with mild disease activity were observed for 6 months from February to July 2020. No-show was defined as a missed appointment that was not previously cancelled by the patient and several variables that might affect no-show were examined.
Results:A total of 376 patients and 1,189 appointments were evaluated. Among 376 patients, 164 patients (43.6%) missed appointment more than one time and no-show rate was 17.2% during COVID-19 pandemic. During the observation, face-to-face visits gradually increased and no-show gradually decreased. The logistic regression analysis identified previous history of no-show (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.225; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.422–3.479; P < 0.001) and fewer numbers of comorbidities (adjusted OR, 0.749; 95% CI, 0.584–0.961; P = 0.023) as the independent factors associated with no-show.
Conclusion:Monthly analysis showed that the no-show rate and the pattern of medical visits gradually changed in patients with RA during COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, we found that previous history of no-show and fewer numbers of comorbidities as the independent factors associated with no-show.
