Margaret H Y Ma1, Sen Hee Tay1, Peter P M Cheung1, Amelia Santosa1, Yiong Huak Chan1, James W L Yip1, Anselm Mak1, Manjari Lahiri1. 1. M.H. Ma, MBBS, MRCP, PhD, FAMS, S.H. Tay, MBBS, PhD, P.P. Cheung, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, A. Santosa, MBBS, MRCP, MMed, FAMS, A. Mak, MMed Sc, MBBS, PhD, MD, M. Lahiri, MBBS, MD, Senior Consultant, Rheumatology and Assistant Professor, Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Health System, and Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore; Y.H. Chan, PhD, Biostatistics Unit, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore; J.W. Yip, MBBS, MRCP, FAMS, National University of Singapore Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, Singapore. Address correspondence to Dr. M. Lahiri, Division of Rheumatology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Hospital, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block, Level 10, Singapore 119228. Email: manjari_lahiri@nuhs.edu.sg. Accepted for publication September 5, 2020.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate attitudes and behaviors of patients with rheumatic diseases during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: An online survey delivered by text message to 4695 patients on follow-up at a tertiary rheumatology center. Latent class analysis was performed on the survey variables. RESULTS: There were 2239 (47.7%) who responded to the survey and 3 clusters were identified. Cluster 3 (C3) was defined by patients who were most worried about COVID-19, more likely to wear face masks, and more likely to alter or stop their medications. Patients in C3 were more likely to be female, Malay, and unemployed. CONCLUSION: We identified 3 clusters with different healthcare beliefs and distinct sociodemographics.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate attitudes and behaviors of patients with rheumatic diseases during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: An online survey delivered by text message to 4695 patients on follow-up at a tertiary rheumatology center. Latent class analysis was performed on the survey variables. RESULTS: There were 2239 (47.7%) who responded to the survey and 3 clusters were identified. Cluster 3 (C3) was defined by patients who were most worried about COVID-19, more likely to wear face masks, and more likely to alter or stop their medications. Patients in C3 were more likely to be female, Malay, and unemployed. CONCLUSION: We identified 3 clusters with different healthcare beliefs and distinct sociodemographics.