Article

PURPOSE: To explore the experiences of today's patients with early rheumatoid
arthritis (RA) with respect to dilemmas of everyday life, especially regarding
patterns of participation restrictions in valued life activities. METHODS: A
total of 48 patients, aged 20-63, three years post-RA diagnosis were interviewed
using the Critical Incident Technique. Transcribed interviews were condensed into
meaningful units describing actions/situations. These descriptions were linked to
ICF participation codes according to the International Classification of
Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) linking rules. RESULTS: Dilemmas in
everyday life were experienced in domestic life, interpersonal interactions and
relationships, community, social and civic life. Most dilemmas were experienced
in domestic life, including participation restrictions in, e.g. gardening,
repairing houses, shovelling snow, watering pot plants, sewing or walking the
dog. Also many dilemmas were experienced related to recreation and leisure within
the domain community, social and civic life. The different dilemmas were often
related to each other. For instance, dilemmas related to community life were
combined with dilemmas within mobility, such as lifting and carrying objects.
CONCLUSIONS: Participation restrictions in today's RA patients are complex. Our
results underline that the health care needs to be aware of the patients' own
preferences and goals to support the early multi-professional interventions in
clinical practice. Implications of Rehabilitation Today's rheumatoid arthritis
(RA) patients experience participation restrictions in activities not included in
International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) core set
for RA or in traditionally questionnaires with predefined activities. The health
care need to be aware of the patients' own preferences and goals to meet the
individual needs and optimize the rehabilitation in early RA in clinical practice.

Langue : ANGLAIS