RESEARCH - Patients' perceptions of fatigue in RA: overwhelming, uncontrollable, ignored

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Arthritis Care & Research

Volume 53, Issue 5 , Pages 697 - 702

Published Online: 5 Oct 2005

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Research Article

Patients' perceptions of fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis:

Overwhelming, uncontrollable, ignored

Abstract

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 (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-management guidance.

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Received: 24 January 2005; Accepted: 4 May 2005

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/112099780/ABSTRACT

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[Guest guest]

, I wish I knew you when I was working on my dissertation!

Kate F

<Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote:

Patients' perceptions of fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: Overwhelming,

uncontrollable, ignored.

HEWLETT S, COCKSHOTT Z, BYRON M, KITCHEN K, TIPLER S, POPE D, HEHIR M.

Arthritis Rheum 2005 Oct 5;53(5):697-702[epub ahead of print].

University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom

Abstract:

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 (>/=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-management guidance.

http://www.websciences.org/cftemplate/NAPS/archives/indiv.cfm?ID=20047358

Not an MD

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[Guest guest]

LOL, Kate! Let me know if you decide to go for another degree.

Not an MD

Re: [ ] RESEARCH - Patients' perceptions of fatigue in RA:

overwhelming, uncontrollable, ignored

> , I wish I knew you when I was working on my dissertation!

>

> Kate F