Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes painful joint inflammation and is incurable, but treatments control RA. Drug regimens are complex, and patients often do not take their medication as expected. Poor medication adherence can lead to poorly controlled disease and worse patient outcomes. Biologics treatments are expensive and require full engagement from patients. We have previously shown that patients from Black ethnic minority backgrounds do not fully engage into treatment plan. This study explored the patients’ experiences in and satisfaction toward receiving information about biologics and future support preferences in South Asian patients with RA.
Methods: Twenty South Asian patients with RA from Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust and Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust participated in individual semistructured interviews. Interviews were transcribed and data were analyzed by using thematic analysis approach.
Results: Four overarching themes describe the patients’ experience in and satisfaction toward receiving information on biologics: 1) current provision of information regarding the “biologics journey” and understanding of RA: in this theme, non-English-speaking patients expressed heightened anxiety about stepping up to biologics; 2) experience and perceptions of biologics: many patients were positive about the biologic experience; however, there were patient-perceived delays in getting on to the biologics; 3) factors influencing willingness to try biologics: in this theme, a number of factors were identified including seeking advice from doctors abroad; and 4) recommendations on the desired information to fully understand the use of biologics: some patients valued group discussions, while others suggested receiving RA and biologic information through a video interaction.
Conclusion: This novel study provides insight into South Asian RA patients’ experiences in and satisfaction toward receiving information about biologics. South Asian patients with RA reported a range of perceptions about biologics and support preferences, many of which may not be shared with the non-South Asian population.
Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis, biologic treatment, patient perceptions, illness beliefs, ethnicity