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Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) leads to biomechanical joint changes, which increases the risk of falling. The consequence of falling may be physical injury. However, the psychological consequences, including the fear of falling, can be equally important. Methods: Participants were recruited from a larger prospective study which explored the incidence of falls in people with RA. Purposive sampling considered age, sex, time since diagnosis and fall history. The recruitment site was a regional hospital. Data were collected from semi‐structured qualitative interviews and, after each fall, brief telephone interviews. Thematic analysis methods were used to investigate the psychological and social impact of falling in people with RA. Results: Twelve participants were interviewed (aged 64–85, mean 74 years; six had fallen between one and 23 times, and six had no reported falls in last 12 months). Data were supplemented with telephone notes from 287 post‐fall telephone calls. Three themes were developed: (i) the falls imaginary illustrates that the fear of falling is not dependent on experience; (ii) agentic risk management reports on the ways people self‐manage and display resilience when at risk of falling; (iii) the absence of the health professional explores the ways in which people reported being unsupported by healthcare services. Conclusion: Fear of falling when living with RA is tangible in those who have and have not fallen. This fear may limit opportunities for full participation in life. However, some people display personal resourcefulness, continuing to live purposeful lives. Understanding personal responses to falling will support the development of community interventions specific to this high‐risk group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To update community-based prevalence values for Polymyalgia Rheumatic (PMR) and Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) using case record review supplemented by population survey and subsequent clinical review.Methods: Clinical data were obtained from case records of a large primary care practice in Norfolk, UK and reviewed for diagnoses of GCA and PMR. In addition postal survey was carried out to capture potentially undiagnosed cases within the practice population. Those screening positive for potential diagnoses of GCA and PMR were invited for clinical review. A cumulative prevalence estimate was subsequently calculated on those diagnosed within the GP practice and subsequently on those fulfilling the various published classification criteria sets. The date of the database lock and mail merge was March 2013.Results: Through detailed systematic review of 5,159 GP case records, 21 patients had a recorded diagnosis of GCA and 117 had PMR.No new cases were identified among 2,227 completed questionnaires returned from the population survey of a sample of 4,728. The resulting cumulative prevalence estimate in those aged ≥ 55 years meeting the ACR classification criteria set for GCA was 0.25 % (95 % CI 0.11 to 0.39 %) and for five published criteria sets for PMR ranged from 0.91 to 1.53 % (95 % CI ranges 0.65 %, 1.87 %). The prevalence of both conditions was higher in women than in men and in older age groups.Conclusion: This study provides the first UK prevalence estimate of GCA and PMR in over 30 years and is the first to apply classification criteria sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]