Preliminary COVID-19 Fears Questionnaire: Systemic Sclerosis and Chronic Medical Conditions Versions

Abstract

Objective: People with chronic medical conditions are at risk of complications and mortality during the COVID-19 outbreak. Understanding mental health implications, including effects of isolation and movement restrictions, should consider specific fears and level of fear experienced. No questionnaires or scales, however, have been developed for this purpose. We sought input from people living with the chronic autoimmune disease systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) on items for inclusion in a preliminary version of the COVID-19 Fears Questionnaire for Systemic Sclerosis, which we also adapted for a preliminary general version, the COVID-19 Fears Questionnaire for Chronic Medical Conditions.Methods: We solicited lists of general and disease-specific fears during COVID-19 from people with SSc via social media and postings by patient organizations. Respondents could provide between 1 and 10 fears via a Qualtrics survey. We used content analysis to generate initial item themes. Selection of items for inclusion, item content, and item wording were done iteratively via email discussion among research team members and the project’s patient advisory team. Items were then adapted for the general chronic diseases version.Results: A total of 121 respondents from 10 countries provided a mean and median of 4 item suggestions. The preliminary COVID-19 Fears Questionnaire for Systemic Sclerosis includes 16 items, and the general version includes 15 items.Conclusion: The COVID-19 Fears Questionnaire for Systemic Sclerosis will be validated via a cohort study, and other researchers are encouraged to validate the general version. Suggestions are made to facilitate rapid sharing of methods and results.