PURPOSE: To describe symptoms experienced by pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients and the impact these symptoms have had on their lives. METHOD: Qualitative descriptive methodology was chosen incorporating semistructured interviews to investigate the symptom experience of ten patients with PAH. RESULTS: All patients were diagnosed with WHO Group 1 PAH and 70% were WHO functional Class III. Two overarching themes emerged: holding back and redefining life. Holding back was represented by three subthemes: fear, anticipation of worsening symptoms, and treatment effects. Redefining life was characterized by uncertainty, activity restrictions, and making the best of it. CONCLUSION: This study revealed specific concerns related to the symptom experience of PAH patients and how they redefined their lives to accommodate these symptoms. These findings provide a basis for larger, quantitative studies to examine the extent of symptom impact as well as a framework for development of self management interventions to improve the symptom experience and QOL.
PURPOSE: To describe symptoms experienced by pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients and the impact these symptoms have had on their lives. METHOD: Qualitative descriptive methodology was chosen incorporating semistructured interviews to investigate the symptom experience of ten patients with PAH. RESULTS: All patients were diagnosed with WHO Group 1 PAH and 70% were WHO functional Class III. Two overarching themes emerged: holding back and redefining life. Holding back was represented by three subthemes: fear, anticipation of worsening symptoms, and treatment effects. Redefining life was characterized by uncertainty, activity restrictions, and making the best of it. CONCLUSION: This study revealed specific concerns related to the symptom experience of PAH patients and how they redefined their lives to accommodate these symptoms. These findings provide a basis for larger, quantitative studies to examine the extent of symptom impact as well as a framework for development of self management interventions to improve the symptom experience and QOL.
Authors: Lea Ann Matura; Corey E Ventetuolo; Harold I Palevsky; David J Lederer; Evelyn M Horn; Stephen C Mathai; Diane Pinder; Christine Archer-Chicko; Emilia Bagiella; Kari E Roberts; Russell P Tracy; Paul M Hassoun; Reda E Girgis; Steven M Kawut Journal: Ann Am Thorac Soc Date: 2015-03
Authors: Ali A Weinstein; Lisa M K Chin; Randall E Keyser; Michelle Kennedy; Steven D Nathan; Joshua G Woolstenhulme; Gerilynn Connors; Leighton Chan Journal: Respir Med Date: 2013-03-07 Impact factor: 3.415
Authors: Janelle Yorke; Christi Deaton; Malcolm Campbell; Linda McGowen; Paul Sephton; David G Kiely; Iain Armstrong Journal: BMJ Open Respir Res Date: 2018-03-01
Authors: Janelle Yorke; Paul Corris; Sean Gaine; J Simon R Gibbs; David G Kiely; Carl Harries; Val Pollock; Iain Armstrong Journal: Eur Respir J Date: 2013-11-14 Impact factor: 16.671