Men and women with rheumatoid arthritis 'may need different types of support'

AnArthritis Research UK-funded study has found that men and women living withrheumatoid arthritis may respond to different types of support to help them manage the everyday impact the condition has on their lives. The research underlines the fact that many men are struggling with rheumatoid arthritis, and suggests that some men may respond better to different support. A significant proportion of men struggle to manage their condition Researchers at the University of the West of England surveyed 295 English men about their experiences of living with rheumatoid arthritis, as well as 232 women. The study, led by Dr Caroline Flurey, found that 22 per cent of the men who responded to the questionnaire appeared to have accepted and adapted to their condition, whereas 43 per cent of the men surveyed appeared to be struggling to cope. Those who said they were struggling generally reported more severe symptoms, less effective strategies for managing their condition, and poorer mental health and wellbeing. This group of men were not served well by current forms of self-management, as they did not suit their personal coping strategies. Men and women prefer different support The survey found that, in general, men preferred support measures such as question-and-answer sessions with a consultant or specialist nurse, access to online information websites, talks by researchers, or symptom management sessions. Women, meanwhile, were more interested in support sessions than men, and more than ...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news