Covid-19 and musculoskeletal health during lockdown

Covid-19 and musculoskeletal health during lockdown

Researchers at the University of Aberdeen have been awarded £52,000 to investigate the impact of lockdown on patients with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions - specifically psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, also known as Ankylosing Spondylitis, and chronic pain conditions including fibromyalgia.

The charity Versus Arthritis and the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) are funding the study led by Professor Gary Macfarlane, Clinical Chair in Epidemiology, which will shed light on the effects of lockdown on people with long-term conditions and on how their health may have been affected. The study is funded by an extension to an existing study of Versus Arthritis and an award from BSR.

Around 2,000 patients across the UK with variety of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions - who have been involved in long-term studies with the University – will be sent questionnaires in the first instance, with in-depth interviews set up with some of them afterwards.

Professor Macfarlane explained that the lockdown caused by the pandemic presents certain challenges for patients with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.

“We know that two key aspects of musculoskeletal health are taking exercise and maintaining good mental health. The ability to take exercise is likely to have been restricted while mental health is likely to be affected by the anxiety around the pandemic generally, together with concerns about one’s own health as well as the effects of social isolation,” said Professor Macfarlane.

“Those in work will have experienced big changes in their workplace environment. Some may be working in essential services in very stressful circumstances, others may have had to adjust to home working, while some may either have been furloughed or lost their job,” added the Dean of Interdisciplinary Research and Research Impact.

“In terms of their care, patients will have experienced a radical re-organisation of their healthcare with almost all consultations moving online. As a result, there will be reductions in access to some services, such as physiotherapy, and procedures, such as injections, just at a time when patient need may be greatest. In addition, some patients will have been categorised in high-risk groups and received letters in relation to “shielding” which requires them to stay at home.

“Understandably there has been a primary focus on undertaking research directly related to Covid-19 but we also risk forgetting people with chronic diseases just at a time when their need is greatest and with severely reduced services.”

Because of their previous involvement in University studies, researchers have existing knowledge of many of the patients and their health before the pandemic.

“We are going to evaluate their current health and see how this has changed since they were previously surveyed, hear about their experience of care during the lockdown restrictions of the pandemic and ask about their perceived current and future care needs,” added Professor Macfarlane.

“The study will allow us to understand the consequences of the lockdown for people with long-term conditions and how their health may have been affected. It will also feed into discussions about how virtual consultations may be part of regular NHS healthcare in the future.”

Dr Stephen Simpson, Director of Research at Versus Arthritis, said:

“One in four people have a musculoskeletal condition like arthritis in the UK – half of those people live with pain every single day.

“The experience of self-shielding and social distancing during lockdown can have negative impacts on the health and condition of people with arthritis, with anxiety and reduced physical activity causing symptoms to flare.

“We’re delighted to support the extension of this work by Professor Macfarlane and colleagues to collect COVID impact data. This study will help us better understand the impact lockdown is having for people with musculoskeletal conditions, and allow us to improve healthcare and the management of these conditions. It is a great example of how research is adapting to meet the needs of people during the pandemic.”

Search News

Browse by Month

2022

  1. Jan There are no items to show for January 2022
  2. Feb There are no items to show for February 2022
  3. Mar
  4. Apr There are no items to show for April 2022
  5. May There are no items to show for May 2022
  6. Jun There are no items to show for June 2022
  7. Jul There are no items to show for July 2022
  8. Aug There are no items to show for August 2022
  9. Sep There are no items to show for September 2022
  10. Oct There are no items to show for October 2022
  11. Nov
  12. Dec There are no items to show for December 2022

2021

  1. Jan There are no items to show for January 2021
  2. Feb There are no items to show for February 2021
  3. Mar
  4. Apr There are no items to show for April 2021
  5. May
  6. Jun There are no items to show for June 2021
  7. Jul There are no items to show for July 2021
  8. Aug There are no items to show for August 2021
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov There are no items to show for November 2021
  12. Dec There are no items to show for December 2021

2020

  1. Jan
  2. Feb There are no items to show for February 2020
  3. Mar There are no items to show for March 2020
  4. Apr There are no items to show for April 2020
  5. May
  6. Jun There are no items to show for June 2020
  7. Jul There are no items to show for July 2020
  8. Aug There are no items to show for August 2020
  9. Sep There are no items to show for September 2020
  10. Oct There are no items to show for October 2020
  11. Nov There are no items to show for November 2020
  12. Dec There are no items to show for December 2020

2019

  1. Jan
  2. Feb There are no items to show for February 2019
  3. Mar There are no items to show for March 2019
  4. Apr
  5. May There are no items to show for May 2019
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug There are no items to show for August 2019
  9. Sep There are no items to show for September 2019
  10. Oct
  11. Nov There are no items to show for November 2019
  12. Dec There are no items to show for December 2019

2018

  1. Jan
  2. Feb There are no items to show for February 2018
  3. Mar There are no items to show for March 2018
  4. Apr
  5. May There are no items to show for May 2018
  6. Jun There are no items to show for June 2018
  7. Jul There are no items to show for July 2018
  8. Aug
  9. Sep There are no items to show for September 2018
  10. Oct
  11. Nov There are no items to show for November 2018
  12. Dec There are no items to show for December 2018

2017

  1. Jan
  2. Feb There are no items to show for February 2017
  3. Mar
  4. Apr There are no items to show for April 2017
  5. May
  6. Jun There are no items to show for June 2017
  7. Jul There are no items to show for July 2017
  8. Aug
  9. Sep There are no items to show for September 2017
  10. Oct There are no items to show for October 2017
  11. Nov
  12. Dec There are no items to show for December 2017

2016

  1. Jan
  2. Feb There are no items to show for February 2016
  3. Mar
  4. Apr There are no items to show for April 2016
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul There are no items to show for July 2016
  8. Aug There are no items to show for August 2016
  9. Sep
  10. Oct There are no items to show for October 2016
  11. Nov There are no items to show for November 2016
  12. Dec There are no items to show for December 2016