An exploration of patients' experiences of anti-TNF therapy

✍ Scribed by Jill Edwards

• Book ID: 102534559
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2004
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 141 KB
• Volume: 2
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1478-2189
• DOI: 10.1002/msc.55

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Objective:

To explore the experience of rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving anti‐tumour necrosis factor (anti‐TNF) therapy on physical, psychological and social well‐being.

Method:

Seven patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who received six months of infliximab were interviewed in depth by one researcher to identify their experiences of this treatment. The interviews were tape‐recorded and analysed using Colaizzi's procedural steps.

Results:

Four main categories were identified from the interview relating to the patient's experience of anti‐TNF therapy. These included:

The impact of living with RA on physical, psychological and social function.

The influence of anti‐TNF therapy on physical, psychological and social function.

The experience of attending for treatment.

The impact of discontinuing anti‐TNF treatment.

Conclusion:

All seven patients experienced benefits from receiving anti‐TNF therapy. These benefits were not maintained once the treatment period was completed. Copyright © 2004 Whurr Publishers Ltd.