title: "I could cry, the amount of shoes I can't get into": A qualitative exploration of the factors that influence retail footwear selection in women with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies have reported that women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are not wearing NHS supplied therapeutic footwear; therefore it is likely they are wearing footwear sourced through retailers. Previous research gives limited information (largely associated with cosmesis) on people's perceptions on the relationships that exist between retail footwear, well-being and quality of life. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of women with RA regarding their choice of retail footwear and identify the factors influencing retail footwear selection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven women with RA wearing normal retail footwear were recruited from an out-patient podiatry clinic in the south east of England. Semi-structured interviews were carried out and an interpretative phenomenological approach was adopted for data collection and transcript analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six key themes were revealed from the analysis: (1) the nature of foot complaints and deformities, (2) aesthetic appearance and design of footwear, (3) body image, (4) psychosocial aspects, (5) Perceptions of footwear and (6) the therapeutic value of retail shoes. These contributed to an overarching concept of loss of choice associated with retail footwear. In particular, the areas discussed most frequently throughout were themes (2), (3) and (4), which were notably more 'emotional' in nature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limitations in retail footwear for these women have impacted on their individuality, linking significantly with their body image. The loss of choice in footwear as a consequence of the disease impacts negatively on emotions, wellbeing and was identified in reduced self-perceived quality of life.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Professions, University of Brighton, Robert Dodd Building, 49 Darley Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7UR UK.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naidoo
authors.affiliation: School of Health Professions, University of Brighton, Robert Dodd Building, 49 Darley Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7UR UK.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: School of Health Professions, University of Brighton, Robert Dodd Building, 49 Darley Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7UR UK.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.affiliation: School of Health Professions, University of Brighton, Robert Dodd Building, 49 Darley Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7UR UK.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.affiliation: School of Health Professions, University of Brighton, Robert Dodd Building, 49 Darley Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7UR UK.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Breeden
authors.affiliation: School of Health Professions, University of Brighton, Robert Dodd Building, 49 Darley Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7UR UK.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bevan
authors.affiliation: School of Health Professions, University of Brighton, Robert Dodd Building, 49 Darley Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7UR UK.
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: School of Health Professions, University of Brighton, Robert Dodd Building, 49 Darley Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7UR UK.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Otter