Patients' experiences of living with peripheral arterial disease awaiting intervention: a qualitative study.
The aim of this study was to investigate patients' experiences of living with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and the influence on activities of daily living. Twenty-four patients with various degrees of PAD were interviewed. The transcribed texts were analysed using manifest and latent content analysis. Living with PAD meant carrying a hard-to-bear physical, social and emotional burden, and struggling for relief. The experience of burden was interpreted in the following themes representing consequences and strategies for gaining control in daily life: (I) "being limited by the burden" (II) "striving to relieve the burden" (III) "accepting and adapting to the feeling of burden". The use of different coping strategies was crucial to achieve some relief. Pain and sleep disturbance emerged as a major feature of living with PAD, and by combining both analgesics and non-pharmacological methods some pain relief was received. To provide optimal alleviation of pain for these patients, education about pain and pain management is of great importance followed by regular evaluations of the pain and pain management. Furthermore, the study underlines the importance of preventing the progression of the vascular disease and from the individual power and knowledge support and preserve as independent life as possible.
Wann-Hansson
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Department of Nursing Science, Lund University, P.O. Box 157, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden. christine.wann-hansson@omv.ul.se
Hallberg
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IR
Klevsgård
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Andersson
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E
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D014850:Waiting Lists