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Patients' views on the causes of their polymyalgia rheumatica: a content analysis of data from the PMR Cohort Study
Maatla Tshimologo1, Benjamin Saunders1, Sara Muller1
1Research Institute for Primary Care & Health Sciences, Keele University, Keele, UK.
Objective:
To explore primary care polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) patient beliefs about the causes of their PMR.
Design:
Qualitative content analysis was conducted on patients' written responses to the question of what they thought had caused their PMR. All data were coded and emergent categories of causal beliefs identified.
Setting:
Community patients receiving primary care at general practitioner (GP) practices across England.
Participants:
Participants were recruited from a primary care PMR inception cohort (n=654). Between June 2012 and June 2014 GPs referred 739 people with a new PMR diagnosis in the past 3 years into the study. Patients were mailed a baseline self-completion questionnaire, which included the question, 'What do you think caused your PMR?'. Responses to this question form the data set for the present study.
Results:
296 (45%) patients gave a possible cause for their PMR, while 276 (42%) respondents wrote 'no idea'. Common attributions include ageing (45, 18%), medication (18, 5%) and personal stress (53, 14%). 24 respondents (6%) thought their PMR was as a result of another medical condition.
Conclusions:
This is the first study to examine causation beliefs in PMR, identifying a number of possible causes such as ageing, stress and as a complication of other medical problems. Understanding these patient beliefs may impact on treatment adherence and patient outcome.
Insights
Patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) commonly attribute their condition to aging, stress, or medication. Understanding these patient beliefs is crucial for improving treatment adherence and outcomes in primary care settings.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Primary Care
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common inflammatory condition affecting older adults.
- Patient beliefs about the causes of PMR are not well understood.
- Understanding patient perspectives is vital for effective management and adherence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore primary care patients' beliefs regarding the causes of their polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
- To identify common themes in patient attributions for PMR onset.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative content analysis of patient responses to a questionnaire.
- Data collected from a primary care PMR inception cohort in England (n=654).
- Patients were asked to write their perceived cause of PMR.
Main Results:
- 45% of patients identified a possible cause for their PMR.
- Commonly cited causes included aging (18%), personal stress (14%), and medication (5%).
- 6% of patients believed PMR resulted from another medical condition.
Conclusions:
- This study is the first to examine causation beliefs in PMR patients.
- Patient beliefs encompass factors like aging, stress, and comorbidities.
- Addressing patient beliefs may enhance treatment adherence and improve patient outcomes.
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