"I couldn't carry on taking a drug like that": A qualitative study of patient perspectives on side effects from rheumatology drugs
Journal Reference: Rheumatology 2024 Epub ahead of print
In the treatment of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), there is a need for feasible measures of patient-reported bother (impact on life and cumulative burden) from side effects and the benefit-harm-balance. Berthelsen et al. evaluated what with RMDs considered important to know about symptomatic side effects they may experience from a new prescription drug.
Thematic analysis identified 4 overarching themes (impact on life; physical and psychological aspects; time, energy, and financial burden; measurement considerations) and 2 underpinning themes (balance between benefit and harm; cumulative burden) present throughout. Patients suggested ‘severity’, ‘frequency’, and ‘duration’ to be important measurement issues when assessing side effects.
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