Recipients’ and providers’ perspectives of obesity and potential barriers to weight management programmes in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): a qualitative study

摘要

BackgroundThe UK rheumatology community serves an ageing and ethnically diverse population, with a growing public health concern about obesity. Overweight and obesity contribute to 2.8 million preventable deaths annually. A raised Body Mass Index (BMI) in those with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) can have a significant negative impact on clinical outcomes. The aim of the study was to examine patients’ and providers’ perceptions of obesity and potential barriers to participation in a future weight management programme to contribute to an appropriate intervention design.