Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multi-organ autoimmune disease of unknown etiology characterized by widespread inflammation and significant morbidity and mortality. Organ affection includes joint and cutaneous involvement, pulmonary, neurological, and cardiac problems, renal and hematological involvement as well as ocular comorbidities, both posterior but mostly anterior ocular involvement. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate dry eye involvement in lupus patients. A cross-sectional study was performed with the aid of a web-based, anonymous questionnaire that was distributed to both patients diagnosed with lupus erythematosus and to a control group. A total number of 123 patients diagnosed with lupus and 200 responders in the control group completed the questionnaire. Dry eye disease has already been diagnosed in 25 lupus patients (28.9%) compared to 44 (21.9%) individuals in the control group. Dry eye-related symptomatology was reported in 43 (34.60%) patients compared to 57 (28.35%) healthy responders. Upon statistical analysis, more symptoms were reported in the lupus group (p=0.01), in responders diagnosed with dry eye syndrome (p<0.01), and in responders using lubrication (p<0.01) but no association was obtained between the incidence of dry eye symptoms and the presence of the disease. The number of episodes of lupus reactivation since diagnosis was correlated with dry eye syndrome (p=0.15) and the use of lubricating tear drops (p<0.01). Dry eye symptoms and disease are more frequent in lupus patients and further research should be performed to understand the connection between these two disease entities.
Boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the adoption of technology has shifted people’s lifestyles, impacting social interactions and leading to an increase in the use of telemedicine, including teledermatology (TD). Social media platforms facilitate communication between patients and physicians, between primary care physicians and specialists, and between dermatologists. The study aimed to assess the attitudes, views, and usage of dermatologists regarding TD consultations. A cross- sectional study was performed with the use of an anonymous, web-based questionnaire intended to be completed by dermatologists. A total number of 73 physicians, both resident and board-certified dermatologists completed the survey. Almost everyone (98.6%) used some form of teledermatology, the most frequently used platforms being WhatsApp, followed by classical telephone calls/messages, email, and other forms of TD. TD is considered to be especially useful in communicating with peer colleagues (94.4%), with physicians of other specialties (90.0%), with family doctors (72.9%) and with patients (69.9%). Since TD can facilitate the treatment-related follow-up of adverse effects, while also being useful in the triage of patients, its use will likely increase in the future. The main concerns were related to the accuracy of the diagnosis through TD, a less developed doctor- patient relationship, a less informative consultation, an increased workload as well and a diminished financial reimbursement. Dermatologists currently use TD in addition to the classical consultations of patients, as well as to communicate with family physicians and peer colleagues to better manage complex cases. Furthermore, TD proves to be an important tool in the education of young dermatologists.
Understanding COVID-19 vaccination attitudes is of paramount importance in order to estimate and influence the willingness to vaccinate. A cross-sectional study was performed in the spring of 2021 in Romania by sending a web-based questionnaire to patients with rheumatic autoimmune diseases in order to assess their willingness to vaccinate against SARS CoV-2 and to identify factors that might influence their decision. Variables derived from the questionnaire were analyzed in univariable and multivariable analysis. 71 patients, of which 60 (84.5%) women, were included in the study, with a 53.5% (38 subjects) willingness to vaccinate. A positive association was observed between the willingness to vaccinate and the patients’ trust in authorities, trust in the healthcare system and the choice of scientific sources of information in their decision making. A positive correlation was observed between the intention to vaccinate and the global VAX score, as well as the subscale VAX scores (p<0.05). Global VAX score emerged as a predictive factor for the intention to vaccinate on logistic regression (p<0.05). The present study underlines the importance of reliable scientific sources of information for pa-tients with autoimmune diseases and how the general attitude about vaccination becomes a pre-dictive factor for accepting COVID-19 vaccine.
