title: "I suddenly felt I'd aged": a qualitative study of patient experiences of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore patient experiences of living with, and receiving treatment for, PMR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured qualitative interviews, with 22 patients with PMR recruited from general practices in South Yorkshire. Thematic analysis using a constant comparative method, ran concurrently with the interviews and was used to derive a conceptual framework.
  
  
  RESULTS
  5 Key themes emerged highlighting the importance of: (1) pain, stiffness and weakness, (2) disability, (3) treatment and disease course, (4) experience of care, (5) psychological impact of PMR. Patients emphasised the profound disability experienced that was often associated with fear and vulnerability, highlighting how this was often not recognised by health care professionals. Patients' experiences also challenge medical convention, particularly around the concept of 'weakness' as a symptom, the use of morning stiffness as a measure of disease activity and the myth of full resolution of symptoms with steroid treatment. Treatment decisions were complex, with patients balancing glucocorticoid side effects against persistent symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients often described their experience of PMR in terms of disability rather than focussing on localised symptoms. The associated psychological impact was significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recognising this is key to achieving shared understanding, reaching the correct diagnosis promptly, and formulating a patient-centred management plan.
authors: Academic Unit of Primary Medical Care, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. Electronic address: h.twohig@sheffield.ac.uk.
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Twohig
authors: Academic Unit of Primary Medical Care, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. Electronic address: c.mitchell@sheffield.ac.uk.
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: Mitchell
authors: Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Research Institute for Primary Care and Health Sciences, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK. Electronic address: c.d.mallen@keele.ac.uk.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Mallen
authors: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. Electronic address: a.o.adebajo@sheffield.ac.uk.
authors: Adewale
authors: A
authors: Adebajo
authors: Academic Unit of Primary Medical Care, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. Electronic address: n.mathers@sheffield.ac.uk.
authors: Nigel
authors: N
authors: Mathers
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013256:Steroids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids
keywords: Patient perspective; Polymyalgia rheumatica; Qualitative research