Prevalence of Anxiety, Depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder During the Covid-19 Lockdown in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Systematic Review Publisher Pubmed



A Eslami AZIN ; P Allami PANTEA ; S Kamalizonouzi SARA ; M Ravanbakhsh MOHAMMADAMIN ; S Razi SEPIDEH ; N Yazdanpanah NILOUFAR ; N Rezaei NIMA
Source: BMC Psychiatry Published:2025

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated lockdown measures had a profound impact on mental health, particularly among individuals with chronic illnesses. Patients with autoimmune arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), are already at increased risk for psychological disorders due to the chronic nature of their disease, physical disability, and long-term medication use. The added stress of the pandemic, including fear of infection, limited access to healthcare, and social isolation, may have further exacerbated mental health issues in this population. This systematic review aims to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among individuals with autoimmune arthritis during the pandemic. A comprehensive search of major medical databases identified 18 relevant studies, encompassing 9,666 participants from various geographic regions. By synthesizing findings across diverse populations, this review examines the extent of the mental health burden in this vulnerable group and highlights the importance of mental health support during public health crises. Understanding these impacts can help guide future research and inform healthcare policies to better support autoimmune arthritis patients in times of crisis. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.