COVID-19 related poor mental health and sleep disorders in rheumatic patients: a citizen science project

Background: Patients with chronic rheumatic diseases (RDs) are more vulnerable and the containment measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic might have severe psychological consequences. We investigated the presence of and risk factors associated with poor mental health, sleep disorders among RDs during the pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional Italian citizen science project evaluated the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with RDs. Between May and September 2020, eleven RD patients’ associations sent the survey by using their mailing list and the related webpage and social network. 507 RD patients completed an ad-hoc anonymous online survey including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Results: The mean scores on the PSS-10 and the IES-R were 18.1 and 29.7, respectively. Higher PSS scores were associated with younger age (p < 0.01), female gender (p < 0.01), overweight/obesity (p = 0.01), psychiatric pharmacotherapy (p < 0.01), and anxiety for loss of income (p < 0.01). Higher IES-R scores were associated with female gender (p < 0.01), intestinal diseases (p = 0.03), anxiety (p < 0.01), and health concern (p < 0.01). Among 375 patients with inflammatory arthritis, 246 (65.6%) had trouble staying asleep, 238 (63.5%) falling asleep, and 112 (29.9%) had dreams about the pandemic. Older age (OR = 1.038, CI 1.002–1.076), psychiatric pharmacotherapy (OR = 25.819, CI 11.465–58.143), and COVID infection (OR = 2.783, CI 1.215–6.372) were predictive of insomnia during the pandemic. Conclusions: A considerable COVID-19 related psychosocial burden has been detected in RDs. Different factors were predictive of poor mental health and sleep disorders in these patients. Focused supportive strategies should be implemented to improve the psychological well-being of fragile patients during pandemics.