1.
Lindén, Charlotte, et al.
(författare)
Living with rheumatoid arthritis and experiencing everyday life with TNF-α blockers
2010
Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1103-8128 .- 1651-2014. ; 17:4, s. 326-334
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
The aim of this study was to describe how persons with RA from an area in western Sweden experience everyday life with TNF-alfa-blockers. A purposive sampling of 11 women and four men, with an age ranging from 25 to 70 years, was conducted. A phenomenological approach was used in the study. The data were collected by unstructured in-depth interviews. The data analysis resulted in six code groups, of which four have appurtenant sub-groups. The six code groups are: "A noticeable change dominates the picture”; “Change in bodily and mental symptoms enables activity”; “Enabling care for oneself and others”; "Enabling improved or continued productivity”; “More rewarding leisure time”; and “Drawbacks of the medication”. The findings show that most of the informants had experienced dramatic changes in their daily lives since the medication reduced their symptoms, resulting in an increased level of activity.
2.
Larsson, Ingrid, et al.
(författare)
Patients' independence of a nurse for the administration of subcutaneous anti-TNF therapy : a phenomenographic study
2010
Ingår i: International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. - London : Taylor & Francis. - 1748-2623 .- 1748-2631. ; 5:2, s. 5146-1-5146-10
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Rheumatology nursing supports patients to manage their lives and live as independently as possible without pain, stiffness and functional restrictions. When conventional drugs fail to delay the development of the rheumatic disease, the patient may require biological treatment such as self-administered subcutaneous anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy. It is therefore important that the patient perspective focuses on the life-changing situation caused by the administration of regular subcutaneous injections. The aim of this study was to describe variations in how patients with rheumatic diseases experience their independence of a nurse for administration of subcutaneous anti-TNF therapy. The study had a descriptive, qualitative design with a phenomenographic approach and was carried out by means of 20 interviews. Four ways of understanding the patients' experience of their subcutaneous anti-TNF therapy and independence of a nurse emerged: the struggling patient; the learning patient; the participating patient; the independent patient. Achieving independence of a nurse for subcutaneous anti-TNF injections can be understood by the patients in different ways. In their strive for independence, patients progress by learning about and participating in drug treatment, after which they experience that the injections make them independent.
3.
Larsson, Ingrid, 1968-, et al.
(författare)
Patients’ Perceptions of Drug Information Given by a Rheumatology Nurse : A Phenomenographic Study
2010
Ingår i: Musculoskeletal Care. - New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons. - 1478-2189 .- 1557-0681. ; 8:1, s. 36-45
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Background: Pain, stiffness and functional restriction of the joints are the main problems experienced by patients with inflammatory rheumatic conditions. The majority of patients with rheumatic diseases require several drugs every day. Adherence is highest among patients who have repeatedly been given drug information by a nurse from the start of the treatment. When developing patient information, it is essential to utilise patients' experiences.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe variations in how patients with rheumatic diseases conceive drug information given by a rheumatology nurse.Methods: The study had a descriptive qualitative design with a phenomenographic approach. Fifteen in-patients with rheumatic diseases who had received a new drug agreed to take part in the study and were interviewed.Results: Three descriptive categories emerged: Autonomy, Power and Security. Autonomy was based on the patients' experiences of taking responsibility and participating. Power meant gaining knowledge and being motivated to take the drug. Security involved trust, experiencing care and access to a rheumatology nurse.Conclusions: Patients with a rheumatic disease experienced that drug information from a rheumatology nurse gave them autonomy, power and security. These factors could explain why information from a nurse increases drug treatment adherence.
4.
Hallert, Eva, et al.
(författare)
Development of disease activity and disability in women and men with early rheumatoid arthritis: 8 years of follow-up from the Swedish TIRA-project
2010
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt) abstract
Background: Previous studies have reported that disability is strongly associated with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and disability at time of diagnosis has also proved to be a consistent predictor of disability over time.Objectives: To investigate the course of disease activity and disability over 8 years in early RA and to analyse differences between women and men.Methods: 149 patients with disease duration <1 year were included in the Swedish early RA-cohort "TIRA". Patients were followed prospectively for 8 years from the time of diagnosis. Disease activity was assessed by DAS28. Disability was measured by pain (VAS), grip force (Grippit), 'grip ability test' (GAT), range of motion in hand, upper and lower extremity (SOFI), walking speed and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Changes over time and differences between women and men were evaluated.Results: Disease activity decreased over time from inclusion to the 8-year follow-up for both women and men. Disability as measured by SOFI (hand, upper and lower extremity) and walking time was improved during the first year after diagnosis but at the 7 and 8 year follow-up, the level of disability was comparable to the level at inclusion. Pain, grip force and GAT were also improved during the first years but thereafter remained stable. HAQ scores were similar in men and women at inclusion. After initial improvement, HAQ remained at a stable level in men, while scores for women deteriorated from year 2 onwards and had reached back to baseline levels at 8 year follow-up. More disability in women than men was also seen in grip force whereas men had more disability than women in SOFI upper extremity. There were no significant differences between women and men in disease activity or disability as measured by VAS pain, GAT, SOFI hand or SOFI lower extremity during the 8-year follow-up.Conclusion: Although disease activity was well managed, disability deteriorated over 8 years with a less favourable course in women than men. Besides controlling disease activity, there is accordingly a need for regular assessments to detect and prevent progressing disability in RA-patients, not only in the early phase of disease, but also over the following years
