Lütze Ulla, Archenholtz Birgitha
Department of Occupational Therapy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
Scand J Caring Sci. 2007 Mar;21(1):64-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-6712.2007.00443.x.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often has a major impact on many areas of an individuals' life. The unpredictability of the prognosis as well as the day-to-day symptoms make it impossible to plan ahead. The aim of this study was to identify the domains of concern in the early course of RA.
Interviews were carried out according to the focus group method. Twenty-three patients with RA, aged between 27 and 67 years and with a disease duration ranging from 1 to 5 years, were included. Four groups were established, the composition of which was based on age, gender and social situation.
Arthritis had a major impact on daily life of the patients, especially on the way they performed activities. It also strongly influenced their mood and social life. The participants tried to cope by 'dosing their activities', 'using new strategies' or to 'stretching their limits'. Their sense of helplessness and uncertainty led to both 'anger' and 'depression'. When activities could no longer be maintained, the role positioning in the family also changed.
The results of this study support the view that more psychosocial support is required to encourage the recently diagnosed RA patient in the new situation of having a chronic disease.
类风湿关节炎（RA）常常对个体生活的许多方面产生重大影响。预后的不可预测性以及日常症状使得无法提前规划。本研究的目的是确定类风湿关节炎早期病程中患者关注的领域。
按照焦点小组方法进行访谈。纳入了23例年龄在27至67岁之间、病程为1至5年的类风湿关节炎患者。根据年龄、性别和社会状况组建了四组。
关节炎对患者的日常生活产生了重大影响，尤其是在他们进行活动的方式上。它还强烈影响了他们的情绪和社交生活。参与者试图通过“调整活动量”、“采用新策略”或“突破极限”来应对。他们的无助感和不确定性导致了“愤怒”和“抑郁”。当无法再维持活动时，在家庭中的角色定位也发生了变化。
本研究结果支持这样一种观点，即需要更多的心理社会支持，以鼓励新诊断的类风湿关节炎患者在患有慢性病的新情况下积极应对。
