Patienters upplevelser av att leva med Reumatoid artrit : En litteraturöversikt

Sammanfattning: Background Rheumatoid arthritis, or rheumatoid joint inflammation, is the most common inflammatory joint disease, affecting 0.5–1.0 percent of the Western population. The disease develops gradually over several weeks to months, with symmetric inflammation in the hands and feet. Those affected are at risk of premature death. Aim The aim was to describe patients' experiences of living with rheumatoid arthritis. Method This literature review includes eleven original studies with the aim of describing the current state of knowledge in current research. The two electronic research databases, Cinahl Complete and PubMed, were used to gather information on rheumatoid arthritis. Findings were then thematized using Friberg's four-step model. Results The analysis resulted in four themes: Experiences of living with pain and fatigue; Experiences of a lack of social life; Support from family and healthcare; and Strategies for managing rheumatoid arthritis. The disease has a negative impact on participants' lives in several aspects, including physical, psychological, social, and economic. Summary Nurses need knowledge of how patients with rheumatoid arthritis experience living with the disease to assist them in managing their daily lives, provide information about the disease, and motivate lifestyle changes.