Document Detail


Swan neck deformities in rheumatoid arthritis: a qualitative study on the patients' perspectives on hand function problems and finger splints.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21108491     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Process    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE:  To identify hand function problems and the reasons for choosing a specific finger splint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and swan neck deformities.
METHODS:  A qualitative study was performed alongside a randomized, controlled cross-over trial comparing the effectiveness of two types of finger splints (the silver ring splint [SRS] and the prefabricated thermoplastic splint [PTS]) in 50 patients with RA and swan neck deformities. Questions on the patients' main hand function problem and reasons for choosing a specific splint type were performed at baseline and after using each splint. The qualitative analyses included the identification of meaning units and (sub)concepts related to hand function problems and splint preferences.
RESULTS:  RA patients with swan neck deformities experience problems with flexion initiation, painful proximal interphalangeal joint hyperextension, grip activities and comprehensive hand function activities. Reasons for preferring or not preferring a specific type of finger splint included: effect, ease of use, appearance, comfort and side effects. Apart from the splint slipping off and a negative attitude towards the appearance of the splint, which appeared to be more frequently mentioned in connection with the SRS, no clear pattern of positive or negative appreciation of either type of splint could be distinguished.
CONCLUSION:  RA patients with swan neck deformities experience a variety of problems, including impairments in functions and limitations in daily activities. With the prescription of finger splints, a substantial number of potentially positive and negative consequences of their use need to be taken into account.
Authors:
F J van der Giesen; R G H H Nelissen; W J van Lankveld; C Kremers-Selten; A J Peeters; E B Stern; S le Cessie; T P M Vliet Vlieland
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Musculoskeletal care     Volume:  8     ISSN:  1557-0681     ISO Abbreviation:  Musculoskeletal Care     Publication Date:  2010 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-11-25     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101181344     Medline TA:  Musculoskeletal Care     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  179-88     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Affiliation:
Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. f.j.van_der_giesen@lumc.nl
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Adherence and occurrence of fractures after switching to once-monthly oral bisphophonates.
Next Document:  What arthritis pain practitioners and patients want in an online self-management programme.