Final published version
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Patients' perceptions of fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis
T2 - overwhelming, uncontrollable, ignored
AU - Hewlett, Sarah
AU - Cockshott, Zoë
AU - Byron, Margaret
AU - Kitchen, Karen
AU - Tipler, Sue
AU - Pope, Denise
AU - Hehir, Maggie
PY - 2005/10/15
Y1 - 2005/10/15
N2 - OBJECTIVE: Fatigue is commonly reported by patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but is rarely a treatment target. The aim of this study was to explore the concept of fatigue as experienced by patients with RA.METHODS: Fifteen patients with RA and fatigue (> or =7 on a 10-cm visual analog scale) were individually interviewed and asked about the description, cause, consequence, and management of fatigue. Transcripts were systematically analyzed by 2 researchers independently, relevant phrases were coded, and earlier transcripts were checked for the emerging codes. A random sample of analyses were independently reviewed. A total of 191 codes arising from the data were grouped into 46 categories and overarching themes.RESULTS: Vivid descriptions reflect 2 types of fatigue: severe weariness and dramatic overwhelming fatigue. RA fatigue is different from normal tiredness because it is extreme, often not earned, and unresolving. Participants described physical, cognitive, and emotional components and attributed fatigue to inflammation, working the joints harder, and unrefreshing sleep. Participants described far-reaching effects on physical activities, emotions, relationships, and social and family roles. Participants used self-management strategies but with limited success. Most did not discuss fatigue with clinicians but when they did, they felt it was dismissed. Participants held negative views on the management of fatigue.CONCLUSION: The data show that RA fatigue is important, intrusive, and overwhelming, and patients struggle to manage it alone. These data on the complexity of fatigue experiences will help clinicians design measures, interventions, and self-managment guidance.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Fatigue is commonly reported by patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but is rarely a treatment target. The aim of this study was to explore the concept of fatigue as experienced by patients with RA.METHODS: Fifteen patients with RA and fatigue (> or =7 on a 10-cm visual analog scale) were individually interviewed and asked about the description, cause, consequence, and management of fatigue. Transcripts were systematically analyzed by 2 researchers independently, relevant phrases were coded, and earlier transcripts were checked for the emerging codes. A random sample of analyses were independently reviewed. A total of 191 codes arising from the data were grouped into 46 categories and overarching themes.RESULTS: Vivid descriptions reflect 2 types of fatigue: severe weariness and dramatic overwhelming fatigue. RA fatigue is different from normal tiredness because it is extreme, often not earned, and unresolving. Participants described physical, cognitive, and emotional components and attributed fatigue to inflammation, working the joints harder, and unrefreshing sleep. Participants described far-reaching effects on physical activities, emotions, relationships, and social and family roles. Participants used self-management strategies but with limited success. Most did not discuss fatigue with clinicians but when they did, they felt it was dismissed. Participants held negative views on the management of fatigue.CONCLUSION: The data show that RA fatigue is important, intrusive, and overwhelming, and patients struggle to manage it alone. These data on the complexity of fatigue experiences will help clinicians design measures, interventions, and self-managment guidance.
KW - Adult
KW - Aged
KW - Aged, 80 and over
KW - Arthritis, Rheumatoid
KW - Attitude to Health
KW - Fatigue
KW - Female
KW - Humans
KW - Interviews as Topic
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Severity of Illness Index
KW - United Kingdom
KW - Journal Article
KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
U2 - 10.1002/art.21450
DO - 10.1002/art.21450
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 16208668
VL - 53
SP - 697
EP - 702
JO - Arthritis and Rheumatism
JF - Arthritis and Rheumatism
SN - 0004-3591
IS - 5
ER -