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It's like a juggling act: Rheumatoid arthritis patient perspectives on daily life and flare while on current treatment regimes

Hughes, Rodney; Flurey, Caroline A; Morris, Marianne; Richards, Pam; Hewlett, Sarah

Authors

Rodney Hughes

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Caroline Flurey Caroline2.Flurey@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Men's Health and Long-term Conditions

Marianne Morris

Pam Richards



Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore patients' experiences of RA daily life while on modern treatments. Methods: The methods of this study comprised semi-structured interviews with 15 RA patients, analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Four themes suggest patients experience life with RA along a continuum from RA in the background to the foreground of their lives, underpinned by constant actions to maintain balance. Living with RA in the background shows patients experience continuous, daily symptoms, which they mediate through micromanagement (mediating the impact of RA on daily life), while learning to incorporate RA into their identity (redefining me). RA moving into the foreground shows patients experience fluctuating symptoms (unwelcome reminders) that may or may not lead to a flare (trying to make sense of fluctuation). Dealing with RA in the foreground shows how patients attempt to manage RA flares (trying to regain control) and decide to seek medical help only after feeling they are losing control. Patients employ a stepped approach to self-management (mediation ladder) as symptoms increase, with seeking medical help often seen as the last resort. Patients seek to find a balance between managing their fluctuating RA and living their daily lives. Conclusion: Patients move back and forth along a continuum of RA in the background vs the foreground by balancing self-management of symptoms and everyday life. Clinicians need to appreciate that daily micromanagement is needed, even on current treatment regimes. Further research is needed to quantify the level and impact of daily symptoms and identify barriers and facilitators to seeking help. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology.

Citation

Hughes, R., Flurey, C. A., Morris, M., Richards, P., & Hewlett, S. (2014). It's like a juggling act: Rheumatoid arthritis patient perspectives on daily life and flare while on current treatment regimes. Rheumatology, 53(4), 696-703. https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/ket416

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Apr 1, 2014
Journal Rheumatology (United Kingdom)
Print ISSN 1462-0324
Electronic ISSN 1462-0332
Publisher Oxford University Press (OUP)
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 53
Issue 4
Pages 696-703
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/ket416
Keywords rheumatoid arthritis, daily life, impact, flare, help-seeking, qualitative, interviews
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/819551
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/ket416
Additional Information Additional Information : First published online: December 19 2013