Investigating the COVID Experience of People with Arthritis (ICEPAC)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the COVID Experience of People with Arthritis and their Care (ICEPAC)
IRAS ID
300222
Contact name
Samantha Hider
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Keele University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Background:
COVID-19 is a global health problem. Many people with arthritis or related conditions were asked to take special precautions called “shielding” to protect them from COVID-19 infection. The wider impact of the pandemic on physical and mental health of people with arthritis is not yet clear. COVID had led to big changes in the way care is delivered with more remote consultations which may present challenges for people without access to technology (called “digital access”). We want to find out more about
1. The impact of the pandemic on
a. arthritis symptoms (e.g. joint pain)
b. emotional well-being, mood, work and physical activity
2. How often people reported COVID-19 symptoms and the outcomes from these (such as being admitted to hospital or developing long COVID)
3. What access people have to technology and whether they use it for health information or research.
4. How people received care for their arthritis, such as remote consultations, and how these could be improved
Methods:
Potential participants will be identified from their hospital electronic healthcare records (DIAMOND). People will be approached by SMS if they have a mobile phone number or by post and invited to fill in a survey either on-line, by post or by phone. They will be asked to consent to a researcher looking at their medical records for details of any COVID-19 testing or hospital admissions, medication and other health conditions.
Outputs:
This study will help us understand what the broader impacts of the pandemic have been for patients. This will help determine what support is needed to help people manage their arthritis and how best to deliver arthritis care in the future.Lay Summary of Results
The ICEPAC study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on:
1. The physical and mental health of people with arthritis.
2. Examine how care was delivered looking at digital access, digital literacy and confidence and satisfaction with remote consultations.People with inflammatory conditions (n=2,024) were identified from their electronic health record and invited to take part in a survey. This could be completed online or on paper questionnaire.
The survey collected data on demographics (age and gender), diagnosis, current physical and mental health and digital access and literacy, together with confidence and satisfaction with remote consultations.
In total, 639 completed the survey. The average age was 65 year old and 60% were female. We found that almost 1 in 5 people reported that they did not have access to an internet-enabled device. People with limited digital literacy or without internet access were less likely to report confidence and satisfaction with remote consultations. Four out of 10 people reported moderate or severe impact of the pandemic of mental or physical health. The impact was seen to be greater in women and younger patients. The results of this study are being used to support information for patients. Future work will look at how we can support patients to access health information better.
Has the registry been updated to include summary results?: No
If yes - please enter the URL to summary results:
If no – why not?: N/A
Did you follow your dissemination plan submitted in the IRAS application form (Q A51)?: Yes
If yes, describe or provide URLs to disseminated materials: https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fclick.pstmrk.it%2F3ts%2Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%252F36882533%252F%2FNBTI%2F40m7AQ%2FAQ%2F20977c15-d3d5-47ae-9ba3-0ee13b4fef76%2F1%2F6hNwgxj3MY&data=05%7C02%7Csurreyborders.rec%40hra.nhs.uk%7C633bef6521d44ab2e4ae08dd49d5f09e%7C8e1f0acad87d4f20939e36243d574267%7C0%7C0%7C638747905602742184%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ppFqcOO1aW8jaqf7I1JA6zu3ktNxIRb4ZZIaB2GS0G0%3D&reserved=0https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fclick.pstmrk.it%2F3ts%2Facademic.oup.com%252Frheumap%252Farticle%252F7%252F1%252Frkac109%252F6972783%2FNBTI%2F40m7AQ%2FAQ%2F20977c15-d3d5-47ae-9ba3-0ee13b4fef76%2F2%2F458iIB_mQn&data=05%7C02%7Csurreyborders.rec%40hra.nhs.uk%7C633bef6521d44ab2e4ae08dd49d5f09e%7C8e1f0acad87d4f20939e36243d574267%7C0%7C0%7C638747905602763217%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=NyEj%2BspC0d5euftinXnL8JPRWf%2FzFUoiA5y8L91SEco%3D&reserved=0
If pending, date when dissemination is expected:
If no, explain why you didn't follow it:
Have participants been informed of the results of the study?: Yes
If yes, describe and/or provide URLs to materials shared and how they were shared: An infographic was produced providing a summary of the research and the results. This was shared with participants who wished to receive a copy of the findings as per their consent form.
If pending, date when feedback is expected:
If no, explain why they haven't:
Have you enabled sharing of study data with others?: No
If yes, describe or provide URLs to how it has been shared:
If no, explain why sharing hasn't been enabled: All data presented in outputs
Have you enabled sharing of tissue samples and associated data with others?: No
If yes, describe or provide a URL:
If no, explain why:REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/0867
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jul 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion