Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on uveitis patient care.
Br J Ophthalmol
; 107(6): 790-794, 2023 06.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35074784
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed practice of medicine and patient care worldwide. The impact of the pandemic on patients with uveitis is unknown. We developed the COVID-19 Practice Patterns Study Group to evaluate the effect of the pandemic on uveitis patient care.METHODS:
This is a multicentre, cross-sectional survey of uveitis specialists practising worldwide. A web-based survey was distributed through the mailing lists of international uveitis societies to assess modifications in patient care, and use of immunomodulatory therapies (IMTs),aswell as considerations regarding COVID-19 vaccination.RESULTS:
A diverse group consisting of 187 uveitis specialists from six continents participated in this survey. Most of these experts noted a disruption in clinical management of patients, including clinic closures or decrease in volume, patients missing in-person visits due to the fear of infection and difficulties obtaining laboratory testing. Most participants initiated (66.8%) and continued (93.3%) IMTs based on clinical presentation and did not modify their use of immunosuppressives. In cases of reported exposure to COVID-19 infection, most participants (65.3%) recommended no change in IMTs. However, 73.0% of the respondents did recommend holding all or select IMTs in case of COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 vaccine was recommended universally by almost all the specialists and 52% stated that they would counsel patients regarding the decreased immunogenicity and effectiveness of the vaccine in immunocompromised patients.CONCLUSIONS:
Uveitis patient care has changed significantly since the beginning of the pandemic. The recommendations will continue to evolve as new data on IMTs and vaccination become available.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Uveitis
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Guideline
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Br J Ophthalmol
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States