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1 – 10 of over 1000Leah Rohlfsen and Jennie Jacobs Kronenfeld
Arthritis is the most prevalent chronic condition in persons ages 65 and older and is projected to increase substantially as the population ages. The purpose of this research is…
Abstract
Arthritis is the most prevalent chronic condition in persons ages 65 and older and is projected to increase substantially as the population ages. The purpose of this research is to assess if age, duration of arthritis, and severity of arthritis exert independent effects on various aspects of the disability process: functional limitations, activities of daily living (ADL) limitations, and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) limitations. Type of arthritis, socio-demographic factors, behavioral factors, and additional health statuses are also examined. Using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement study, results show age and severity of arthritis are related to the number of functional limitations one has and to the odds of having ADL and IADL limitations. Duration of arthritis is positively related to functional limitations and to the odds of reporting ADL limitations. Duration of arthritis is not significantly related to IADL limitations, which are strongly linked to performing social roles and have less to do with physical functioning compared to ADL tasks and functional tasks. There is no difference between those with established arthritis compared to those who have had it for a shorter time period, suggesting those with arthritis adapt to social tasks better than physical tasks. The resources used to cope with IADL limitations may be more effective over time compared to those used to cope with functional limitations and ADL disability. Understanding the context of functional limitations and disability among those with arthritis may lead to improved support and care for those living with arthritis.
The first aim of this review article is to systematically summarise, synthesise, and critically evaluate the research base concerning the use of two art forms, namely, dance‐based…
Abstract
Purpose
The first aim of this review article is to systematically summarise, synthesise, and critically evaluate the research base concerning the use of two art forms, namely, dance‐based exercises and Tai Chi, as applied to people with arthritis (a chronic condition that results in considerable disability and, particularly in later life, severely impacts the life quality of the individual with this condition). A second is to provide directives for health educators who work or are likely to work with this population in the future.
Design/methodology/approach
The material specifically focuses on examining the efficacy of dance therapy and Tai Chi as intervention strategies for minimising arthritis disability and dependence and improving life quality. The paper includes a review of all relevant articles published in the English language on the topic.
Findings
Collectively, these data reveal that dance‐based exercises and Tai Chi – practiced widely in China for many centuries as an art form, as well as a religious ritual, relaxation technique, exercise, and self‐defence method – may be very useful rehabilitation strategies for people with different forms of arthritis.
Originality/value
While more research is indicated, health educators working with people who have chronic arthritis can safely recommend these two forms of exercise to most people with arthritis with the expectation that both will heighten the life quality of the individual with this condition.
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Andy Turner, Bethan Williams and Julie Barlow
Notes that living with arthritis involves pain and fatigue, physical limitations, problems with social relationships and loss of social and leisure activities. Describes the…
Abstract
Notes that living with arthritis involves pain and fatigue, physical limitations, problems with social relationships and loss of social and leisure activities. Describes the psychosocial challenges associated with living with arthritis and examines whether, as a result of attending an arthritis self‐management programme (ASMP), participants felt more capable of meeting those challenges. Interviews were conducted with 16 participants before they attended the ASMP; two weeks after completing the course; and at eight months. During the ASMP, participants benefited from developing an empathic relationship with their peers, thereby reducing feelings of isolation. The ASMP also promoted positive behavioural changes such as exercise, relaxation and pain management. A greater sense of personal control served as a precursor for involvement in initiatives aimed at providing solutions for their local arthritis communities. Suggests a self‐management programme can provide a forum that facilitates peer support and improves coping skills.
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Patients with arthritis regularly ask doctors and dietitians ‘Would a special diet help my arthritis?’. The answer in the past was usually ‘No’, but more recently many health…
Abstract
Patients with arthritis regularly ask doctors and dietitians ‘Would a special diet help my arthritis?’. The answer in the past was usually ‘No’, but more recently many health professionals have started to look at the role diet may play in the disease. Susan Lupson SRD describes some of her own and others' experiences in this field.
Julia Peters, Deon Nel and Stewart Adam
Celebrex became the first of a new class of drugs known as COX‐2 selective non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs. It improves treatment for arthritis sufferers without…
Abstract
Purpose
Celebrex became the first of a new class of drugs known as COX‐2 selective non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs. It improves treatment for arthritis sufferers without compromising the protective lining of the stomach. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how direct‐to‐consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription medicines can be used to rebuild faith in the cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) product category.
Design/methodology/approach
The case is developed using published sources and no input is required from company representatives. The presentation style follows the classic comprehensive case format used in postgraduate teaching programmes.
Findings
Business executives and strategic marketing students would benefit from a discussion on how external environmental factors can suddenly impose a review of marketing strategy. The reader learns how management addresses the business dilemma using DTCA.
Research limitations/implications
A blockbuster rival drug Vioxx is withdrawn due to cardiovascular (CV) health safety concerns. A resulting dominant market situation soon becomes a business dilemma. The Federal Drug Administration calls for a “black box” warning label on Celebrex, the most serious type of warning.
Practical implications
The implications are that having a product in a class of its own is not enough. It highlights the need to communicate to different audiences, to both the medical profession and the end‐user. Getting doctors to recommend the medicine and pulling the product through the channel by stimulating patient demand after a health scare are paramount.
Originality/value
This is the first pharmaceutical business case where the withdrawal of a rival product leaves the dominant competitor in a monopoly situation. Contrary to expectation, market share plummets despite the absence of competition.
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Kanta Kumar, Deva Situnayake, Paul Bacon and Karim Raza
Rheumatoid arthritis is a common chronic disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. As with all chronic conditions, active participation by the patient, in areas…
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis is a common chronic disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. As with all chronic conditions, active participation by the patient, in areas ranging from accepting the diagnosis and its treatment to the implementation of coping strategies, is essential for effective management. Involving any patients in these process can be difficult; however patients of South Asian origin can present particular challenges. Many patients of South Asian origin have beliefs about disease causation and the utility of pharmacological and non‐pharmacological treatments that differ from those held by other patients. Communication difficulties can make it difficult for health care professionals to address these issues. We discuss strategies to support patients and encourage their involvement including linguistically appropriate educational material, peer support and telephone helplines.
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Reports how a study of diet in people with arthritis by use of aquestionnaire showed benefits of diet for ten of the 17 respondents.There were a number of dietary modifications…
Abstract
Reports how a study of diet in people with arthritis by use of a questionnaire showed benefits of diet for ten of the 17 respondents. There were a number of dietary modifications implicated, the most common being a diet high in essential fatty acids and low in fat. Respondents were also noted to take a wide range of supplements.
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Noah Lorincz-Comi, Samba Bah, Howard T. Welser and Jack Maduka
The purpose of this paper is to identify the effect of depression symptoms and their associated severity on reducing treatment sought for chronic medical conditions in respondents…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the effect of depression symptoms and their associated severity on reducing treatment sought for chronic medical conditions in respondents living in a low-/middle-income country.
Design/methodology/approach
Data for this paper are provided by the national cross-sectional World Health Survey (2003) completed in Pakistan. The authors constructed two samples: one reporting an angina diagnosis (n=150) and another an arthritis diagnosis (n=176), each reporting two or more respective disease symptoms. Logistic regression models, after controlling for confounding variables, were performed to predict treatment received in the last two weeks for respondents’ respective disease.
Findings
In respondents with angina, depression severity significantly reduced the likelihood of angina treatment received in the two weeks before survey; depression treatment significantly increased this likelihood. In respondents with arthritis, no psychopathologic variables predicted arthritis treatment received.
Research limitations/implications
This paper works to elucidate the constructs underlying the heavy chronic disease burdens, we currently witness in low-/middle-income countries. As the authors’ design is cross-sectional, future research would benefit from using longitudinal designs to further investigate the relationship between these morbidities.
Practical implications
These findings encourage further collaboration between medical and mental health professionals to develop stratified treatment strategies, especially in potentially underdeveloped settings, such as Pakistan. This paper also encourages the development of policy intended to provide residents of Pakistan and countries in similar socioeconomic positions with more medical and psychiatric treatment services.
Originality/value
This paper is unique in identifying the relationship between these morbidities in a large, population-based sample of respondents from a low-/middle-income country, Pakistan.
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Sandra C. Jones and Judy Mullan
This paper aims to investigate older consumers' perceptions of the effects of direct‐to‐consumer advertising (DTCA), their views on the amount and type of information that should…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate older consumers' perceptions of the effects of direct‐to‐consumer advertising (DTCA), their views on the amount and type of information that should be provided, and their understanding of information typically contained.
Design/methodology/approach
Participants were 97 adult members of a social/education group, aged 55 to 87, who completed a questionnaire during the group's usual weekly meeting. There were four versions of the questionnaire; two types of medication (arthritis versus diabetes) and two ad formats (short versus long).
Findings
There was little difference between the versions in the accuracy of participants' recall of key pieces of information, suggesting that providing additional information may convey little additional benefit. Participants reported limited perceived benefits of DTCA, and expressed concern that DTCA may cause people to ask their doctor for inappropriate medicines, rely more on medicines to solve their health, and become more confused.
Practical implications
This study suggests that there is a need to consider consumers' perceptions of benefits and costs of DTCA when deciding whether to introduce it (e.g. in Australia) or remove it (e.g. New Zealand). Further, at least for older consumers, providing large quantities of information may increase cognitive demands without producing additional benefits.
Originality/value
The majority of previous studies of DTCA have used either student samples (with manipulated salience of information) or general population surveys. This study utilised a sample of older adults, including 55 per cent with arthritis and 13 per cent with diabetes. Further, as this study used US ads with an Australian population, one can be confident that participants' knowledge of the medications was purely from the ads read and not from previous exposure.
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