Table 3 Themes emerging from the narrative analysis of DMARDs calls
Themes | All DMARDs % (n = 681) | cDMARDs % (n = 591) (%) | bDMARDs % (n=90) (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
Major themes & subthemes | |||
1. Concern about medication safety | 26.9 | 28.4 | 20.8 |
1.1. Clarification on potential side effect of a specified DMARD “Will methotrexate cause hair loss?” | 20.2 | 21.0 | 16.8 |
1.2. Information on the general safety of a specified DMARD “What are the side effects of adalimumab?” | 4.0 | 4.3 | 2.4 |
1.3. Reassurance on the use of a specified DMARD “What are the risks of taking methotrexate as I am worried about taking it after the things I read on the internet?” | 2.7 | 3.1 | 1.6 |
2. Seeking information on potential interactions with a specified DMARD | 22.4 | 25.6 | 8.0 |
2.1. Seeking information on potential interactions of medicines with a specified DMARD “Can hydroxychloroquine be taken with diclofenac?” | 16.9 | 19.2 | 6.4 |
2.2. Seeking information on potential interactions of complementary medicines with a specified DMARD “Can I take St john’s wort if I am on Mabthera (rituximab)?” | 3.5 | 4.1 | 0.8 |
2.3. Lifestyle while on a specified DMARD “Would there be an interaction between methotrexate and some alcohol I had at Christmas?” | 1.6 | 1.9 | 0.0 |
2.4. Seeking information on potential interactions of a specified DMARD with food “Any interactions between food and Humira (adalimumab) injection?” | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.8 |
3. Seeking a therapeutic strategy | 13.0 | 14.7 | 4.0 |
3.1. Seeking a therapeutic strategy regarding the timing, dose, and administration of a specified DMARD “Do I inject methotrexate intramuscularly or subcutaneously?” | 7.5 | 8.0 | 3.2 |
3.2. Seeking a therapeutic strategy regarding dosing and timing of concomitant medicines to DMARD therapy “What is the normal dose of folic acid when I am also on methotrexate 20 mg per week?” | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
3.3. Seeking a therapeutic strategy for managing withdrawal and/or reintroduction of a specified DMARD “Can he stop methotrexate suddenly or does he have to do so gradually?” | 2.6 | 3.2 | 0.0 |
3.4. Seeking a therapeutic strategy regarding the management of an adverse event and/or the continuation of DMARD therapy in case of an occurred adverse event “What can I do if I’ve experienced hives and irritation since starting adalimumab?” | 1.5 | 1.6 | 0.8 |
3.5. Seeking a therapeutic strategy to manage a DMARD therapy before and/or after a procedure or an elective surgery “When should I cease meloxicam and sulfasalazine before surgery?” | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.0 |
4. Seeking information on a specified DMARD | 10.1 | 4.9 | 33.6 |
4.1. Seeking general information on a specified DMARD “Can you please provide me with information on hydroxychloroquine?” | 4.4 | 3.6 | 8.0 |
4.2. Seeking information on a specified DMARD in response to media “Disabled friend in his 70s saw a TV documentary on a new drug for arthritis- what is it?” | 2.3 | 0.2 | 12.0 |
4.3. Seeking information on the availability, cost, and logistics to access a specified DMARD “How can I obtain an emergency supply of Enbrel (etanercept) when my specialist is away?” | 1.9 | 1.1 | 5.6 |
4.4. Seeking information on the restrictions and requirements to obtain subsidized DMARD “Why can’t my 16-year-old nephew get Humira (adalimumab) on the PBS?” | 1.5 | 0.2 | 8.0 |
Minor themes | |||
1. Quantifying the benefit and harm of a specified DMARD “What are the risks verse benefits of taking methotrexate for the treatment of psoriasis?” | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.2 |
2. Concern on the impact of a DMARD on reproductive health “Could any of my partner’s medicines cause abnormalities in my child: prednisone, methotrexate, leflunomide?” | 4.3 | 4.7 | 2.4 |
3. Storage, handling and stability of a specified DMARD “How do I know if Humira (adalimumab) is okay if it was left out of the fridge for over 24 h?” | 1.5 | 0 | 8.0 |
4. Concern about the safety of contact with a DMARD user “Can my daughter have contact with pregnant women or children if she is on methotrexate?” | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.2 |