The impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease related fatigue on Health-Related Quality of Life: a qualitative semi-structured interview study

Radford, Shellie J.; Moran, Gordon W.; Czuber-Dochan, Wladyslawa

Abstract

Background: Fatigue is a frequently reported symptom of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), having a negative impact on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Patients’ experiences of this have not been researched in IBD. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adults with Crohn’s Disease from out-patient clinics in the United Kingdom. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, then analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Fourteen participant interviews were conducted. Three key themes were identified: 1) ‘The new normal’ established through adaptation and acceptance; 2) ‘Energy as a resource’ describing attempts to better manage fatigue through planning and prioritising tasks; 3) ‘Keeping healthy’ encompasses participants’ beliefs that ‘good health’ allows better management of fatigue. Conclusion: Participants establish a ‘new’ normality, through maintaining the same or similar level of employment/education activities. However, this is often at the expense of social activities. Further research is required to explore patient led self-management interventions in IBD fatigue.

Citation

Radford, S. J., Moran, G. W., & Czuber-Dochan, W. (2022). The impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease related fatigue on Health-Related Quality of Life: a qualitative semi-structured interview study. Journal of Research in Nursing, 27(8), 685-702. https://doi.org/10.1177/17449871211061048

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 4, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jul 5, 2022
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2022
• Deposit Date: Jun 11, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 5, 2022
• Journal: Journal of Research in Nursing
• Print ISSN: 1744-9871
• Electronic ISSN: 1744-988X
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 8
• Pages: 685-702
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/17449871211061048
• Keywords: Research and Theory
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5655293
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17449871211061048