Prevalence of Abuse Among Patients With Rheumatic Diseases

Patients with rheumatic diseases (RD) have a relevant representation in the adult population in Mexico. RD are characterized by their chronic and progressive nature, which can impact functionality during the disease and can present various factors that can be associated with the presence of abuse, among others, economic dependence, decreased physical capacity, and need for care and support in different health processes. Regarding abuse in patients with RD, there is little information in the literature; however, it is possible that the prevalence could be similar to that of the occurrence in older adults since both populations share important states of vulnerability. The study aimed to identify the prevalence of abuse in patients with RD. The study will be conducted in two phases: the first one in which the GAS will be adapted for patients with RD, and this version will be validated in a population of our Institute, and the second one in which, applying the validated instrument, the magnitude of abuse is evaluated, and the factors associated with this phenomenon among patients with RD are explored.