COVID-19 quarantine in adolescents with autoimmune rheumatic diseases: mental health issues and life conditions

OBJECTIVES: To assess mental health and life conditions in adolescents with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) and healthy controls quarantined during COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: A cross-sectional study included 155 ARD adolescents and 105 healthy controls. Online survey included self-reported strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), and a semi-structured questionnaire with demographic data, daily home and school routine, physical activities, and COVID-19 information during the pandemic. RESULTS: Among patients, 56% had juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), 29% juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE), and 15% juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). No differences were found regarding sex, ethnicity, and current age between ARD patients and controls (p > 0.05). Abnormal emotional SDQ (38% vs. 35%, p = 0.653) were similar in both groups. Logistic regression analyses in ARD patients demonstrated that female (OR = 2.4; 95%CI 1.0–6.0; p = 0.044) was associated with severe emotional SDQ dysfunction, whereas sleep problems were considered as a risk factor for both worse total SDQ (OR = 2.6; 95%CI 1.2–5.5; p = 0.009) and emotional SDQ scores (OR = 4.6; 95%CI 2.2–9.7; p < 0.001). Comparisons between ARD patients with and without current prednisone use showed higher median scores of peer problems in the first group [3 (0–10) vs. 2 (0–7), p = 0.049], whereas similar median and frequencies between JIA, JSLE, and JDM (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one third of JIA, JSLE, and JDM patients presented abnormal total and emotional scores of SDQ during COVID-19 quarantine. Sleep problems were the main factor associated with emotional difficulties in these ARD adolescents. The knowledge of mental health issues rates in adolescents with ARD supports the development of prevention strategies, like sleep hygiene counseling, as well as the references of the affected patients to specialized mental health services, as necessary.