Perceptions and Experiences of Individuals At-risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Knowing About Their Risk of Developing RA and Being Offered Preventive Treatment: Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Studies

Overview

Journal Ann Rheum Dis

Specialty Rheumatology

Date 2021 Nov 9

PMID 34750103

Citations 11

Authors

Heidi J Siddle

Lara S Chapman

Kulveer Mankia

Codruta Zabalan

Marios Kouloumas

Karim Raza

Marie Falahee

Joel Kerry

Andreas Kerschbaumer

Daniel Aletaha

Paul Emery

Suzanne H Richards

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: There is increasing interest in identifying individuals at-risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and initiating early treatment to prevent or delay the onset of arthritis. We aimed to describe the perceptions and experiences of at-risk individuals and to inform the conduct of clinical trials and studies, and clinical practice.

Methods: A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies was conducted. Two review authors independently screened studies for inclusion, appraised their methodological quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist and assessed confidence in the findings using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation-Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research approach.

Results: Seven studies involving 115 individuals at-risk of developing RA were included. Three major themes (seven subthemes) were identified: understanding the risk of developing RA (knowledge of RA and identification of potential risk factors); preventive interventions to reduce the risk of developing RA (understanding the value and role of preventive interventions, and engagement with preventive interventions); and perceptions of predictive testing for RA (benefits of predictive testing, decision to undertake predictive testing and concerns about predictive testing). Moderate confidence in most review findings was evident.

Conclusion: While there are clear benefits in informing individuals at-risk of RA about their risk following predictive testing and offering preventive treatment, there are potential barriers to engagement, intensified by the burden of uncertainty. Identification of the optimum approaches for presenting risk information, including the risks and benefits of engaging with preventive interventions, is urgently needed to support individuals at-risk of RA in their decision making.

Prospero Registration Number: CRD42021236034.

Citing Articles

Prevention of Rheumatoid Arthritis in At-Risk Individuals: Current Status and Future Prospects.

Toyoda T, Mankia K Drugs. 2024; 84(8):895-907.

PMID: 38954266 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-024-02061-0.

'What is my risk really?': a qualitative exploration of preventive interventions among individuals at risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

Chapman L, Siddle H, Serban S, Mankia K, Rooney C, Mustufvi Z Rheumatol Adv Pract. 2024; 8(2):rkae023.

PMID: 38495430 PMC: 10939459. DOI: 10.1093/rap/rkae023.

"Waiting for the best day of your life". A qualitative interview study of patients' and clinicians' experiences of Perthes' disease.

Galloway A, Pini S, Holton C, Perry D, Redmond A, Siddle H Bone Jt Open. 2023; 4(10):735-741.

PMID: 37778748 PMC: 10542457. DOI: 10.1302/2633-1462.410.BJO-2023-0108.R1.

Latent characteristics and influencing factors of stigma in rheumatoid arthritis: A latent class analysis.

Han Z, Chen Y, Chen Y, Sun G, Dai X, Yin Y Medicine (Baltimore). 2023; 102(23):e34006.

PMID: 37335640 PMC: 10256359. DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034006.

'It surprised me a lot that there is a link': a qualitative study of the acceptability of periodontal treatment for individuals at risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

Chapman L, Vinall-Collier K, Siddle H, Mustufvi Z, Mankia K, Serban S RMD Open. 2023; 9(2).

PMID: 37156573 PMC: 10174022. DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003099.

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