Anti-TNF treatment in rheumatoid arthritis : a qualitative study of patient role preferences and a quantitative analysis of the informal carers' quality of life and caregiver burden

• Main Author: Nicol, Amy Ann Marie
• Published: University of East Anglia 2008
• Subjects: 362.196722
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.500919

Two studies were conducted within the framework of a large observational study of anti-TNF treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The Patient Preferences (PP) study explored the role preferences of RA patients starting anti-TNF treatment, and the Informal Carer (10) study examined the informal carers' quality of life and caregiver burden during the first 12-month of anti-TNF treatment. The data for the PP study came from transcribed semi-structured Interviews and consisted of a purposive sample of 26 RA patients with varied sociodemographics and role preferences. The data for the IC study was collected through questionnaires from 32 RA patient-carer dyads at the beginning, 6-months and 12 -months into the patients' anti-TNF treatment. Quality of life measures were collected from the patients and carers, along with measures of the carers' caregiver burden.