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The authors' goal was to assess unmet needs of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Participants (N = 112), who were recruited through the mailing list and support group meetings of a Lupus Alliance of America Affiliate, completed a survey based on prior research. All participants perceived at least 1 unmet need. The most frequently reported unmet needs were in the physical symptoms domain. Older patients were more likely than younger patients to have higher levels of unmet needs related to physical and psychological functioning. African American patients were more likely than white patients to have higher levels of unmet needs related to health services and information. Our findings document the high prevalence and variety of unmet needs among these patients, as well as variations among demographic groups. To address unmet needs of SLE patients, targeted referrals to patient educators, mental health professionals, and support organizations are important adjuncts to medical treatment. Index Terms: needs assessment, patient satisfaction, systemic lupus erythematosus, unmet needs, Qualitative studies have revealed that patients with chronic illnesses, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), often report withholding the full range of their needs from health care providers.(1-3) Ascertaining the perceived [...]

This study explored how older women with chronic illness and disability experience their own health. Data were collected in in-depth interviews with ten older women with rheumatoid arthritis. Data analysis and interpretation was carried out within a phenomenological-hermcneutic fiame of understanding, which revealed five major themes: health as coping with everyday life, health as freedom, health as absence of inconvenience, health as togetherness and health as mental well-being. For older people with chronic illness and disability, good health found expression in general well-being. It was perceived as a state of equilibrium that the respondents sought to maintain through their own active choices. doi: 10.1300/J074v18n04_06 KEYWORDS. Self-rated health, health experiences, disability, chronic illness, ageing, rheumatoid arthritis, health equilibrium

Use of biologic drugs known as tumor necrosis factor-alpha blockers including Enbrel (etanercept), Remicade (infliximab) and Humira (adalimumab) have revolutionized the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). But these drugs do [...]