Adapting to ulcerative colitis to try to live a 'normal' life: a qualitative study of patients' experiences in the Midlands region of England.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To provide a framework that is able to categorise whether patients are able to adapt to and lead a 'normal' life with ulcerative colitis (UC) and to detail the factors that influence this.

Design

Qualitative research study using in-depth semi-structured interviews.

Setting

Four clinical sites in the West and East Midlands regions of England.

Participants

28 adult patients diagnosed with UC for years between 1 and 22.

Results

Medication was rarely sufficient for patients to adapt to UC and live as 'normal' a life as possible. Virtually all patients tested and adopted non-medical adaptation methods to improve physical and psychological well-being, to help them carry on working and to prevent embarrassment. In addition, some patients benefited fro

SUBMITTER: McMullan C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5724065 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature