Rheumatologists' Knowledge, Attitude and Current Management of Fatigue in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Overview

Journal Clin Rheumatol

Publisher Springer

Specialty Rheumatology

Date 2008 Jul 16

PMID 18622574

Citations 12

Authors

Han Repping-Wuts

Piet van Riel

Theo van Achterberg

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

To describe rheumatologists' knowledge, attitude and current management of fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a postal questionnaire was sent to all rheumatologists (N = 204) and trainees (N = 49), members of the Dutch Society of Rheumatology. The overall response rate was 44% (N = 110). In general, rheumatologists' knowledge about RA-related fatigue was in accordance with the literature but they perceive a lack of their own knowledge about aetiology and evidence-based interventions to prevent and treat fatigue. The majority of the rheumatologists believe that fatigue is a multi-disciplinary diagnosis and is preferably managed by the nurse specialist (34%). Assuming that the patient will raise the issue, most of the rheumatologists pay attention to fatigue during the first consultation and less often during follow-up consultations. There is a need for knowledge about causes and treatments for RA-related fatigue to ensure that patient outcomes are improved.

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