POS1485-HPR MANAGING LIFESTYLE HABITS - “A GRADUAL INSIGHT OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY” THE FIRST YEARS AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH RA
Authors: K. Drake Af Hagelsrum, I. Larsson, A. Bremander, E. Lindqvist, E. Mogard
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) can lower their increased risk for cardiovascular diseases and improve symptoms and quality of life by adhering to modern pharmacological treatment and adopting a healthy lifestyle [1]. However, they may encounter diverse barriers, both related to the disease and more general barriers, hindering their ability to make beneficial lifestyle changes [2]. There is limited research on how patients with RA manage their lifestyle habits during the first years after diagnosis. <h3>Objectives:</h3> To explore patients' experiences of managing their lifestyle habits the first years after being diagnosed with RA. <h3>Methods:</h3> This qualitative study involved 20 patients diagnosed with RA according to ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria, comprising 14 women and 6 men between 23 and 77 years, and with a disease duration of 2-3 years. All patients were recruited from an early RA clinic at a specialist Rheumatology University department, and invited to individual semi-structured interviews focusing on patients' lifestyle habits after being diagnosed with RA. An inductive, qualitative content analysis identified six sub-categories and three categories (Table 1). <h3>Results:</h3> The findings showed that patients experienced a gradual insight into personal responsibility for managing their lifestyle habits during the first years after being diagnosed with RA. Various preconditions, encompassing both disease-related consequences such as pain and functional barriers and personal factors, including knowledge and attitudes, influenced patients' lifestyle self-management. Adapting lifestyle habits to new conditions and maintaining motivation were described as essential strategies for lifestyle self-management, underscoring the importance of proactive engagement in managing one's lifestyle habits. In addition, patients identified positive outcomes from adopting a healthy lifestyle after being diagnosed with RA, reporting improvements in both physical and psychological well-being, along with enhanced vitality. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> Patients with RA highlighted that lifestyle self-management during the first years after diagnosis was affected by several preconditions, including disease-related and personal factors. They also expressed a need for crucial strategies, such as adapting to new conditions and fostering self-motivation, and that outcomes of healthy lifestyle self-management could enhance well-being and vitality. These findings highlight the importance of tailored lifestyle strategies and the potential of holistic benefits in overall health and vitality for individuals navigating the early stages of RA. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> [1] Agca, R et al. EULAR recommendations for cardiovascular disease risk management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory joint disorders: 2015/2016 update. <i>Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases</i>, 2017;76:17–28. [2] Gwinnutt JM et al. The impact of lifestyle behaviours, physical activity and smoking on morbidity and mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. <i>Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol</i> 2020;34:101562. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> Klara Drake af Hagelsrum: None declared, Ingrid Larsson: None declared, Ann Bremander: None declared, Elisabet Lindqvist: None declared, Elisabeth Mogard Novartis, AbbVie. Not related to the present work.