Objective: Long diagnostic delay remains an unsolved problem in many autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs). One of the major contributing factors is poor symptom appraisal and the resulting delays in help-seeking by patients themselves. We therefore aimed to understand the symptom appraisal and help-seeking experience among patients with ARDs in a multiethnic urban Asian population and to explore its influencing factors.
Methods: Semistructured interviews with 33 patients with ARDs were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. We coded the transcripts deductively using the reported 3 stages of symptom appraisal (detection, interpretation, and response) as the framework, and inductively for newly emerging themes and subthemes.
Results: All 3 stages of the symptom appraisal and help-seeking journey (ie, symptom detection [by self and by others], symptom interpretation [causes, consequences, and required actions] and symptom response [no action, self-management, seeking help from nonhealthcare professionals, and seeking help from healthcare professionals]) were observed among patients. Interactions among these 3 stages were also observed: symptom interpretation was found to influence subsequent symptom detection, and the outcome of symptom response was found to influence both subsequent symptom detection and symptom interpretation. Various personal and socioenvironmental factors (eg, knowledge and cultural beliefs about the symptom) that influenced symptom appraisal and help-seeking were identified from the interviews.
Conclusion: The symptom appraisal and help-seeking journey of patients with ARDs is an iterative process of detection, interpretation, and response, and is influenced by various personal and socioenvironmental factors. Addressing modifiable factors could shorten the symptom appraisal and help-seeking interval and improve patient outcomes.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.2023-0086 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Sarcopenic obesity and brain health: A critical appraisal of the current evidence.
Nutr Bull
January 2025
Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia.
Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a body composition phenotype derived from the simultaneous presence in the same individual of an increase in fat mass and a decrease in skeletal muscle mass and/or function. Several protocols for the diagnosis of SO have been proposed in the last two decades making prevalence and disease risk estimates of SO heterogeneous and challenging to interpret. Dementia is a complex neurological disorder that significantly impacts patients, carers and healthcare systems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Relationship Between Gut Microbiota, Muscle Mass and Physical Function in Older Individuals: A Systematic Review.
Nutrients
December 2024
School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne VIC 3122, Australia.
Background: Recent evidence suggests that sarcopenia and subsequent changes in muscle mass and functional outcomes are linked to disruption to the gastrointestinal microbiota composition and/or function via the microbiota-gut-muscle axis. Despite growing interest, few studies have systemically analysed (1) the relationship between the gut microbiota, muscle mass and physical performance and (2) the effects of gut-modulating dietary interventions on these outcomes within older individuals with or without sarcopenia.
Methods: Four electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus) were searched for articles published from the year 2004 until July 2023.
Risky sexual behavior and associated factors among people with severe mental illness in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
J Affect Disord
January 2025
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Background: Individuals, who suffer from severe mental illnesses (SMI), such as bipolar disorder (BD), schizophrenia (SCZ), and major depressive disorder (MDD), are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior. A severe mental illness can lead to a decrease in impulse control, a reduction in cognitive function and memory, and a psychosocial impairment that increases risky sexual behavior. Risky sexual behavior (RSB) can lead to health problems such as sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, early pregnancy, and unplanned pregnancies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImplementing Namaste Care in nursing care homes for people with advanced dementia: a systematically constructed review with framework synthesis.
BMC Geriatr
January 2025
International Observatory on End of Life Care, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
Background: Namaste Care is an intervention designed to improve the quality of life for people with advanced dementia by providing individualised stimulation and personalised activities in a group setting. Current evidence indicates there may be benefits from this intervention, but there is a need to explore the practical realities of its implementation, including potential barriers, enablers, and how it is delivered within the context of nursing care homes.
Objective: To systematically assess the factors involved in implementing Namaste Care for people with advanced dementia in nursing care homes.
Efficacy of laser therapy on primary burning mouth syndrome: a systematic review.
J Oral Facial Pain Headache
March 2024
Department of Dental Medicine, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital of Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia.
The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature to determine the overall efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in managing burning mouth syndrome (BMS). A literature search was conducted through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from their inception up to 28 March 2023. The search terms were defined by combining (Mesh Terms OR Key Words) from "Burning mouth syndrome" AND (Mesh Terms OR Key Words) from "Laser therapy".
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!