Al Juffali Lobna Abdullah, Almalag Haya, Alalem Suha, Alamairah Shomoukh, Omair Mohammed A
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
BMJ Open. 2025 Mar 21;15(3):e084057. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-084057.
Medication preferences and associated challenges remain unexplored in Saudi patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
To explore the perceptions, beliefs and experiences of patients with RA regarding the disease and its treatment in Saudi Arabia.
Three focus groups were created in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia through purposeful sampling. Discussions were recorded and transcribed. Subsequently, thematic analysis was performed.
The groups included women, aged 35-50 years (n=6), men (n=4) and women above 50 years (n=5).
The identified themes included stress and losing a loved one as the primary factors inducing RA, delay in diagnosis and beliefs about certain foods that triggered RA flare-ups. The most common adverse effects were weight gain, nausea and fungal infections. The participants were open to starting new medications. Stiffness was the main unmet need among the participants. Adverse effects, pain management and fertility problems were key factors affecting treatment transitions. Younger participants expressed concerns about prices and availability of medications. Physical exercise and therapy were identified as important complementary therapies for improving the quality of life. The lockdown during the pandemic may have positively impacted patients' symptoms. Younger women highlighted challenges related to the transition of treatment before and after contraception, losing their jobs, meeting their children's and family's needs and pursuing their dreams. Men expressed concerns about fertility and a fear of needles. Psychological and social challenges were the main theme among older participants.
This study identified patient preferences and needs that could guide future educational initiatives for physicians and communities.
沙特类风湿关节炎（RA）患者的用药偏好及相关挑战仍未得到探索。
探讨沙特RA患者对该疾病及其治疗的看法、信念和经历。
通过目的抽样在沙特利雅得创建了三个焦点小组。讨论进行了录音和转录。随后进行了主题分析。
这些小组包括35 - 50岁的女性（n = 6）、男性（n = 4）和50岁以上的女性（n = 5）。
确定的主题包括压力和失去亲人是诱发RA的主要因素、诊断延迟以及对某些引发RA病情发作的食物的看法。最常见的不良反应是体重增加、恶心和真菌感染。参与者愿意开始使用新药物。僵硬是参与者中主要未得到满足的需求。不良反应、疼痛管理和生育问题是影响治疗转换的关键因素。年轻参与者对药物价格和可及性表示担忧。体育锻炼和治疗被认为是改善生活质量的重要辅助疗法。疫情期间的封锁可能对患者症状产生了积极影响。年轻女性强调了避孕前后治疗转换、失去工作、满足子女和家庭需求以及追求梦想方面的挑战。男性对生育和害怕打针表示担忧。心理和社会挑战是老年参与者中的主要主题。
本研究确定了患者的偏好和需求，可为未来针对医生和社区的教育举措提供指导。
