Özet:

ABSTRACT Objective: In the COVID-19 pandemic, where the psychological dimension is intense, it can be thought that it may negatively affect the treatment cmpliance in rheumatological diseases in which immunosuppressives are used extensively. In our study, we wanted to examine the medication discontinuation rates and its related conditions in rheumatologic patients. Methods: Of those who continued their regular follow-up in the XXX City Training and Research Hospital Rheumatology outpatient clinics in the last year before the COVID-19 pandemic, 101 patients who had a routine outpatient clinic check-up between 1 April and 30 June 2020 and visited the polyclinic during this period were included in the study. In addition to these patients, 150 patients were randomly selected from a list created among those who came to the polyclinic regularly in the last year. These 150 selected patients were reached via mobile phones and their consent was requested. 104 of 150 patients gave consent to the study. The study was completed with a total of 205 patients. The patients were asked whether they stopped their medications, the reasons for the discontinuation, which drug(s) they stopped, and whether their disease and/or drugs increased their risk of COVID-19. Results: In 25/71 patients (35.2%) using steroids, stopped steroids. 26/79 patients (32.9%) using methotrexate; 10/28 (35.7%) patients using sulfasalazine; 18/38 (47.3%) patients using leflunomide; 19/45 (42.2%) patients using hydroxychloracine stopped their medication. The rate of patients who discontinued medication in patients using biological agents was 20/41 (48.8%). Among 71 patients who discontinued their medication, 30 (42.3%) of them stopped using their medication because of what they heard through television, newspapers and social media, 24 (33.7%) of them with the recommendation of a doctor or pharmacist, 10 (14.1%) of them due to drug supply problem, 7 (9.9%) of them stopped by their own decision without giving any reason. It was observed that 11 (55%) of the 20 patients who stopped using biological drugs, did so with the recommendation of a doctor or pharmacist. Conclusion: The most important finding of our study; It was observed that the highest rate of drug withdrawal in patients with rheumatic disease was those who used biological agents. Key Words: Adherens, COVID-19, Compliance, Immunosuppressive drug, Rheumatological Disease

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