Partners' experiences of inflammatory arthritis impact on their lives: a qualitative study

Inflammatory arthritis (IA) profoundly affects not only people diagnosed but also their partners. Gaining a deeper understanding of partners' experiences is essential for developing strategies that support their well-being. This study explored how partners experience the impact of IA on their daily lives and how they manage their role within the relationship.

An exploratory qualitative study was designed together with five couples serving as research partners. Data were collected through 1 focus group and 8 semistructured interviews with a total of 11 partners of people living with rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, or psoriatic arthritis. Participants were recruited through three rheumatology departments in Denmark, The Danish Rheumatism Associations, and online groups on Facebook. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis.

Four themes were developed: Living with arthritis as a choice- partners described deciding whether to continue the relationship; The emotional distress and helplessness of watching a loved one's suffering-partners reported sorrow, powerlessness, worry about the future, and impacts on intimacy; Turning love into labour-partners learned to communicate about IA and provide practical help; Finding a way through mental gymnastics-partners found ways to manage through knowledge, acceptance, daily routines, optimism, and negotiation of family needs.

Partners experienced emotional and relational strain when living alongside a person with IA, yet actively developed ways to manage this over time. Supporting partners through education, skills training, and psychosocial resources may strengthen partner well-being and ability to better manage IA with the person diagnosed.