Abstract

Rheumatic illnesses are chronic diseases that cause the immune system to attack the bodies joints, muscles, bones, and organs (Mayo Clinic Health System, 2022). In many cases, rheumatic illnesses can cause severe disability and end organ damage leading to mortality if left untreated. Many rheumatological patients are on biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and this has significantly improved the outcome for patients with rheumatic diseases (Humphreys et al., 2016). These medications work by suppressing the immune system to control inflammation and bDMARDs have significantly improved the quality of life of individuals with rheumatological conditions. Unfortunately, patients who are on bDMARDs are at an increased risk of infections (Arthritis Foundation, 2022). The risk of serious infections became more prominent as the coronavirus pandemic emerged.

Author Details

Alpana Bala Jayadevan, DNP, APRN, NP-C

Sigma Membership

Alpha Theta

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Case Study/Series

Research Approach

Qualitative Research

Keywords:

Rheumatic Illnesses, COVID-19 Pandemic, Anti-Rheumatic Drugs

Advisor

Beth Ann Swan

Second Advisor

Jagindra N. Mangru

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Emory University

Degree Year

2023

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

Date of Issue

2023-10-30

Full Text of Presentation

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DNP Capstone

Additional Files

Slides.pdf (366 kB)

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