POS1461-HPR MAINTAINING GOOD MENTAL HEALTH IN PEOPLE WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF PATIENTS’ PERSPECTIVES
Authors: S. M. Abild, J. Midtgaard, A. Nordkamp, A. De Thurah, S. Bech Vestergaard, B. Glintborg, M. Aadahl, P. F. Cromhout, C. Yilmaz Jantzen, L. Lau, B. A. Esbensen
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> It is well-documented that people with inflammatory arthritis (IA) exhibit a high prevalence of symptoms related to anxiety and depression. However, much less is known about what contributes to health and well-being in people with IA, including which beliefs and strategies are employed by individuals managing manifest IA without experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression. This understanding may empower health professionals to support people with IA in adopting effective strategies and potentially enabling them to lead lives free from the negative impact of symptoms of mental illness [1]. <h3>Objectives:</h3> To explore how some patients with IA are able to maintain good mental health despite illness. <h3>Methods:</h3> Explorative qualitative interview study, utilizing purposeful sampling. Participants were recruited from the cross-sectional study MaIA (1). Specifically, we used an extreme case sampling approach, including participants with a score of &lt;5 on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale indicating the absence of psychological distress and minimal signs of anxiety and depression. Additionally, we ensured an even distribution sampled in terms of the diagnosis of IA and geographical variation. Data collection involved one focus group interview and 12 individual telephone interviews. The interview guide was based on the Salutogenic theory of Aaron Antonovsky and self-efficacy theory of Bandura. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and managed using NVivo14. The analysis employed a reflexive thematical analysis approach. Results were discussed with two patient research partners. <h3>Results:</h3> In total, 18 participants were included whereof 6 participated in the focus group interview, and 12 in individual interviews (female n=7, mean age 55.43 (IQR; 27.32)) Participants had rheumatoid arthritis (n=6), axial spondylarthritis (n=6), and psoriatic arthritis (n=6), and were from all five regions of Denmark. The thematic analysis resulted in four main themes, each with two to three sub-themes (see Table 1). Thus, the following main themes were identified: 1) <i>Assisted by a positive outlook on life</i> referring to how the participants' positive life perspective was deeply rooted in their personality. This helped them to cope with IA and to focus on aspects that functioned well in their lives, 2) <i>Moving towards acceptance of life with arthritis</i> refers to how the participants embraced the reality of living with a chronic illness with successful construction of a life where arthritis was not the dominant force, but where they felt a sense of control, 3) <i>I won't let arthritis dictate my life</i> refers to the strategies employed by the participants which involved structuring their lives, staying active, nurturing social connections, and cherishing life's smaller pleasures, and 4) <i>Taking responsibility for the trajectory</i> referring to how the participants were adeptly mindful of their bodies and took the initiative to explore new treatment possibilities. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> Our findings shed light on specific strategies and beliefs that people with IA utilize to maintain mental well-being despite symptoms of arthritis. These insights may improve future IA treatments, helping healthcare professionals support individuals effectively by focusing on enhancing specific strategies and thereby enabling more fulfilling lives despite the challenges of chronic illness. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> [1] http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003412. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> Signe Marie Abild: None declared, Julie Midtgaard: None declared, Annika Nordkamp: None declared, Annette de Thurah: None declared, Sofie Bech Vestergaard: None declared, Bente Glintborg BMS, AbbVie, and Sandoz. As the present study is not associated with any form of medical intervention or otherwise linked to a pharmaceutical company in planning, execution, or funding, the affiliation does not influence the design or results of the study., Mette Aadahl: None declared, Pernille Fevejle Cromhout As the present study is not associated with any form of medical intervention or otherwise linked to a pharmaceutical company in planning, execution, or funding, the affiliation does not influence the design or results of the study., Connie Yilmaz Jantzen: None declared, Lene Lau: None declared, Bente Appel Esbensen: None declared.