Liddle, J, Bartlam, R, Mallen, CD, Mackie, SL, Prior, JA, Helliwell, T and Richardson, JC (2017) What is the impact of giant cell arteritis on patients' lives?: A UK qualitative study. BMJ Open, 7 (8). e017073 -?. ISSN 2044-6055

This is the latest version of this item.

[thumbnail of Liddle et al 2017.full.pdf]
Preview
Text
Liddle et al 2017.full.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (521kB) | Preview

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Clinical management of giant cell arteritis (GCA) involves balancing the risks and burdens arising from the disease with those arising from treatment, but there is little research on the nature of those burdens. We aimed to explore the impact of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and its treatment on patients' lives. METHODS: UK patients with GCA participated in semi-structured telephone interviews. Inductive thematic analysis was employed. RESULTS: 24 participants were recruited (age: 65-92 years, time since diagnosis: 2 months to >6 years). The overarching themes from analysis were: ongoing symptoms of the disease and its treatment; and 'life-changing' impacts. The overall impact of GCA on patients' lives arose from a changing combination of symptoms, side effects, adaptations to everyday life and impacts on sense of normality. Important factors contributing to loss of normality were glucocorticoid-related treatment burdens and fear about possible future loss of vision. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of GCA in patients' everyday lives can be substantial, multifaceted and ongoing despite apparent control of disease activity. The findings of this study will help doctors better understand patient priorities, legitimise patients' experiences of GCA and work with patients to set realistic treatment goals and plan adaptations to their everyday lives.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: This is the final published version of the article (version of record). It first appeared online via BMJ at http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017073 - please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Everyday Life, Giant Cell Arteritis, Patient Experience, Qualitative Research, Temporal Arteritis
Subjects: R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC666 Diseases of the circulatory (Cardiovascular) system
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Primary Care Health Sciences
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Symplectic
Date Deposited: 13 Sep 2017 08:46
Last Modified: 05 Apr 2019 13:24
URI: https://eprints.keele.ac.uk/id/eprint/4007

Available Versions of this Item

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item