'I JUST FEEL AS THOUGH I'VE BEEN ABANDONED": PATIENTS' EXPERIENCES IN MANAGING WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS

Background: Existing research into OA has had a predominantly biological focus, evaluating impairment (such as pain) and disability (including functional limitations). However, it is important to explore beyond the activities of daily living and disease categories and evaluate how OA impacts on the social and psychological aspects of the individual. techniques.Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of OA on quality of life, using qualitativeMethods: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted across a sample of 45 individuals with clinician diagnosed osteoarthritis. The sample was purposefully selected and included representation across gender, site of OA and older and younger participants. Only patients with either no known or stable co-morbidities were interviewed. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to explore and interpret issues surrounding the impact of OA on the lives of those affected. Data was coded using NVivo 2.0 and analysed using complex thematic analysis techniques.Results: Forty-five patients were interviewed (25 female and 20 males, median age 65 years) over a 12 month period. Interpretative analysis revealed key themes that emerged through the interviews: the initial diagnosis of OA was often traumatic and was perceived as a watershed moment for the individual as being classified as old; there was a common pessimism reported in treatment options for OA and this pessimism was often linked to the attitudes of the clinicians managing the patients; patients with multiple site presentations were often forced to focus on their main source of pain during medical consultations and reported frustration and despondency in not being treated for all their arthritis problems; those under 55 years of age often frequently reported difficulty in having their arthritis taken seriously by families and friends; and those with hip and knee arthritis reported substantial restrictions of life choices and an increased dependency on others.Conclusion: This qualitative research has demonstrated that the impact of OA goes beyond issues associated with pain and physical disability. It is important that such concepts are considered in both the clinical and research environments in order to establish the impact of OA on an individuals QoL. The diagnosis of OA was often traumatic, people with OA felt quite pessimistic about treatment options and the future. It is essential that the impact of OA is considered in the assessment and treatment of individuals of the disease.Citation: Ann Rheum Dis, volume 65, supplement II, year 2006, page 233Session: Osteoarthritis – clinical aspects and treatment