Patient perspectives of managing fatigue in ankylosing spondylitis, and views on potential interventions: a qualitative study

Davies, H., Brophy, S., Dennis, M., Cooksey, R., Irvine, E. and Siebert, S. (2013) Patient perspectives of managing fatigue in ankylosing spondylitis, and views on potential interventions: a qualitative study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 14(163), (doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-14-163)

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Abstract

<p>Background: Fatigue is a major component of living with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), though it has been largely over-looked, and currently there are no specific agreed management strategies.</p> <p>Methods: This qualitative exploratory study involved participants who are members of an existing population-based ankylosing spondylitis (PAS) cohort. Participants residing in South West Wales were invited to participate in a focus group to discuss; (1) effects of fatigue, (2) self-management strategies and (3) potential future interventions. The focus groups were audio-recorded and the transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.</p> <p>Results: Participants consisted of 3 males/4 females (group 1) and 4 males/3 females (group 2), aged between 35 and 73 years (mean age 53 years). Three main themes were identified: (1) The effects of fatigue were multi-dimensional with participants expressing feelings of being ‘drained’ (physical), ‘upset’ (emotional) and experiencing ‘low-mood’ (psychological); (2) The most commonly reported self-management strategy for fatigue was a balanced combination of activity (exercise) and rest. Medication was reluctantly taken due to side-effects and worries over dependency; (3) Participants expressed a preference for psychological therapies rather than pharmacological for managing fatigue. Information on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) was received with interest, with recommendations for delivery in a group format with the option of distance-based delivery for people who were not able to attend a group course.</p> <p>Conclusions: Patients frequently try and manage their fatigue without any formal guidance or support. Our research indicates there is a need for future research to focus on psychological interventions to address the multi-faceted aspects of fatigue in AS.</p>

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Siebert, Professor Stefan
Authors: Davies, H., Brophy, S., Dennis, M., Cooksey, R., Irvine, E., and Siebert, S.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Publisher:BioMed Central
ISSN:1471-2474
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2013 The Authors
First Published:First published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 14:163
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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