Rheumatology Advance Access published online on May 18, 2004
Rheumatology, doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keh237
Rheumatology © British Society for Rheumatology 2004; all rights reserved
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 Department of Rheumatology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: Lesley.Kay{at}nuth.northy.nhs.uk.
Objectives. Anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy is a highly effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as documented using standard outcome measures in clinical trials. Anecdotal experience suggests health benefits for patients other than those measured in this way. We wished to explore patients’ experience of and views about this treatment and the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Registry (BSR BR) process. Methods. Separate focus groups for patients treated with infliximab (n = 7) and etanercept (n = 12) were undertaken. They were taped and transcribed verbatim, analysed and subjected to peer review and themes were identified. Results. Five main themes were identified: expectations of treatment, experience of treatment and its effects, concerns about taking a new class of drug, views about the BSR Biologics Registry process and costs. Conclusions. Patients’ experience of anti-TNF therapy was good, particularly in terms of physical function and well-being, although it did not live up to the very high expectations of some patients. The BSR BR process caused initial apprehension but patients had personal and altruistic reasons for being happy to comply with monitoring requirements. Qualitative methods add to our understanding of the effects of anti-TNF therapy for people with RA. KEY WORDS:
Anti-TNF therapy, Rheumatoid arthritis, Patients’ experience, Focus groups, Registry, Qualitative research.
Accepted April 15, 2004
Original Papers
Patients' perceptions of treatment with anti-TNF therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: a qualitative study
2 Deparment of Clinical Effectiveness, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Abstract 
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  S. Scarpato, M. Antivalle, E. G. Favalli, F. Nacci, S. Frigelli, F. Bartoli, L. Bazzichi, G. Minisola, M. Matucci Cerinic, and RIVIERA co-authors Patient preferences in the choice of anti-TNF therapies in rheumatoid arthritis. Results from a questionnaire survey (RIVIERA study) Rheumatology, November 17, 2009; (2009) kep354v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. J. Kay, I. D. Griffiths, and for the BSR Biologics Register Management committe UK consultant rheumatologists' access to biological agents and views on the BSR Biologics Register Rheumatology, November 1, 2006; 45(11): 1376 - 1379. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|