Stiffness is more than just duration and severity: a qualitative exploration in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Stiffness is internationally recognized as an important indicator of inflammatory activity in RA but is poorly understood and difficult to measure. The aim of this study was to explore the experience of stiffness from the patient perspective.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews conducted with 16 RA patients were analysed independently by researchers and pat.ient partners using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Six themes were identified. Part of having RA identified stiffness as a normal consequence of RA, perceived as associated with disease-related aspects such as fluctuating disease activity, other RA symptoms and disease duration. Local and widespread highlighted stiffness occurring not only in joints, but also over the whole body, being more widesprea

SUBMITTER: Halls S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4372677 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature