biostudies-literatureSloan MLUPUS UKVersus Arthritisrkaa072https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7798562biostudies-literatureUnknown5(1)<h4>Objective</h4>The aim was to explore the self-reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on changes to care and behaviour in UK patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases, to help ensure that patient experiences are considered in future pandemic planning.<h4>Methods</h4>This was a longitudinal mixed methods study, with a cohort completing baseline surveys in March 2020 and follow-up surveys in June 2020 (<i>n</i> = 111), combined with thematic analysis of the LUPUS UK forum and participant interviews (<i>n</i> = 28).<h4>Results</h4>Cancellations of routine care and difficulties in accessing medical support contributed to some participants deteriorating physically, including reports of hospitalizations. The majority of participants reported that fear of COVID-19 and disruptions Rheumatology advances in practiceThe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the medical care and health-care behaviour of patients with lupus and other systemic autoimmune diseases: a mixed methods longitudinal study.PMC77985622199222600Harwood RPilling MWincup CBosley MSutton SGordon CSloan MBrimicombe JHolloway LLever ED'Cruz DfalseThe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the medical care and health-care behaviour of patients with lupus and other systemic autoimmune diseases: a mixed methods longitudinal study.<h4>Objective</h4>The aim was to explore the self-reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on changes to care and behaviour in UK patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases, to help ensure that patient experiences are considered in future pandemic planning.<h4>Methods</h4>This was a longitudinal mixed methods study, with a cohort completing baseline surveys in March 2020 and follow-up surveys in June 2020 (<i>n</i> = 111), combined with thematic analysis of the LUPUS UK forum and participant interviews (<i>n</i> = 28).<h4>Results</h4>Cancellations of routine care and difficulties in accessing medical support contributed to some participants deteriorating physically, including reports of hospitalizations. The majority of participants reported that fear of COVID-19 and disruptions 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z20212026-07-16T01:31:29.889Z2021-02-21T11:41:16ZS-EPMC77985623360450110.1093/rap/rkaa072