Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals especially those with chronic diseases face various problems like psychological distress.Aim: To evaluate anxiety and depression in morphea patients taking immunosuppressants compared with controls during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: In this case-control study, electronic data of 42 eligible morphea patients and 42 age-and-sex-matched healthy subjects were extracted. Everyone was asked about the adherence to the health-protocols and symptoms of COVID-19. To investigate anxiety and depression, we designed an online Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire; a score ≥11 represents a significant psychological disorder.Results: The two groups didn't differ significantly in the mean HADS-A and D scores (P = 0.08 and P = 0.79,respectively). HADS-A and D scores were ≥11 in 16.67% and 11.90% of patients, respectively. Mean HADS-D score was significantly higher in morphea patients with sleep problems during COVID-19 compared with those who had not (P = 0.048). 21.43% of patients discontinued their treatment due to fear of COVID-19 and experienced disease recurrence. Adherence to health protocols was higher in patients compared with controls. The rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection was not different between the groups.Conclusion: Although there was no significant difference in anxiety and depression between the groups, it is recommended to provide the opportunity for psychiatric counselling to improve treatment outcomes during this pandemic.
Evaluation of anxiety and depression in patients with morphea taking immunosuppressive drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic.