Long-term Corticosteroid Use and Lifestyle Advices: A Qualitative Analysis of the Difficulties Encountered by Patients

Patients Traited by Long Term Corticotherapy

corticotherapy, qualitative study, therapeutic education, lifestyle change, diet

Introduction: Nearly 1% of the population is currently treated with long-term corticosteroid therapy. When corticosteroids are introduced, patient information concerning the adverse effects and the modalities of prevention by the lifestyle changes is usually proposed. However, studies have shown an imperfect acquisition of this information about treatment and prevention of adverse effects, as well as a difficult implementation on diet and physical activity advices. In this study, the investigators aimed to evaluate the difficulties encountered by patients with dietary advice in the context of long-term corticosteroids use in order to optimize care, drug adherence and the quality of life of patients. Methods: the investigators will recruite adult patients from general medicine and rheumatology practice and treated by long-term corticosteroids (≥ 3 months, ≥ 5mg/day). the investigators will perform a qualitative analysis in a semi-directed interview.

Prospective Qualitative Study Carried out among patients followed in rheumatology and in general medical practice. For each voluntary patient, a semi-directed interview was carried out in a consultation room after obtaining his agreement. The same investigator used a single guide and conducted all the interviews based on open-ended questions. At the end of the interviews, the entire recorded audio data was converted in written form before being analysed thematically. Data were analysed using a Fisher's exact test for categorical variables (presented as frequencies and percentages), and using a non-parametric Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables (presented as the median and interquartile range, IQR).

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