title: Rheumatoid arthritis: effects on the family.
abstract: The impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the families of people with the disease is poorly understood. A qualitative study was undertaken on 22 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, their respective well partners and their 40 children. For most children the effect of living with a parent suffering from a painful, chronic illness was not detrimental, but a minority suffered verbal and physical abuse. The disease had wide-ranging effects on sexual and working relationships, but marriage to a partner with RA did not result in a threat to the relationship for the majority. Recommendations for future practice are made.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: le Gallez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors