Beliefs, preferences, and informational needs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and concomitant cancer: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with biologic drugs in patients with cancer could potentially result in poor cancer outcomes. This study aimed to identify the beliefs, preferences, and informational needs of patients with RA and cancer regarding the harms, benefits, and un...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Rheumatology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41927-025-00526-7 |
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| author | Juan I. Ruiz Sheneze T. Madramootoo Maria A. Lopez-Olivo Namrata Singh Maria E. Suarez-Almazor |
| author_facet | Juan I. Ruiz Sheneze T. Madramootoo Maria A. Lopez-Olivo Namrata Singh Maria E. Suarez-Almazor |
| author_sort | Juan I. Ruiz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with biologic drugs in patients with cancer could potentially result in poor cancer outcomes. This study aimed to identify the beliefs, preferences, and informational needs of patients with RA and cancer regarding the harms, benefits, and uncertainties surrounding the use of RA therapy with respect to cancer. Methods We interviewed 20 patients with RA and cancer recruited from a cancer center using a semi-structured guide. We explored patients’ discussions with physicians, beliefs, preferences about RA treatment, and decision-making issues. Using a deductive approach, patients’ responses were grouped according to the explored themes. Results Fifteen (75%) patients were women; mean age was 59.9 years (standard deviation, 9.8). Patients discussed RA symptoms, adverse events, drug interactions, and discontinuation of RA treatment after cancer diagnosis; most felt their concerns were clarified after the discussion with their physicians. Some patients were concerned about the risk of cancer development or recurrence due to RA treatment; few were concerned about the interaction between RA and cancer treatment. Patients were concerned about the impact of cancer treatment on RA and potential immunosuppression. Patients relied on discussions with their physician and their own previous experiences to make decisions. Most patients would consider taking a drug for RA even when its impact on cancer is unknown. Patients wanted to receive information about drugs’ efficacy and adverse effects, drug interactions, impact of RA drugs on cancer, and costs. Conclusions Our findings on informational needs, concerns, information delivery preferences, and desired level of involvement in the treatment-related decisions of patients with RA and cancer can facilitate the development of educational material that can help with shared decision-making in patients with RA and cancer. We identified important aspects related to the informational needs and concerns of patients with RA and cancer, including worries about not being able to receive RA treatment. Clinical trial number Not applicable. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ef446d4c8eea4e1eb95ee80e60dfa3ba |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2520-1026 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Rheumatology |
| spelling | doaj-art-ef446d4c8eea4e1eb95ee80e60dfa3ba2025-08-20T03:04:15ZengBMCBMC Rheumatology2520-10262025-07-019111010.1186/s41927-025-00526-7Beliefs, preferences, and informational needs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and concomitant cancer: a qualitative studyJuan I. Ruiz0Sheneze T. Madramootoo1Maria A. Lopez-Olivo2Namrata Singh3Maria E. Suarez-Almazor4Department of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterDepartment of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterDepartment of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterDepartment of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington School of MedicineDepartment of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterAbstract Background Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with biologic drugs in patients with cancer could potentially result in poor cancer outcomes. This study aimed to identify the beliefs, preferences, and informational needs of patients with RA and cancer regarding the harms, benefits, and uncertainties surrounding the use of RA therapy with respect to cancer. Methods We interviewed 20 patients with RA and cancer recruited from a cancer center using a semi-structured guide. We explored patients’ discussions with physicians, beliefs, preferences about RA treatment, and decision-making issues. Using a deductive approach, patients’ responses were grouped according to the explored themes. Results Fifteen (75%) patients were women; mean age was 59.9 years (standard deviation, 9.8). Patients discussed RA symptoms, adverse events, drug interactions, and discontinuation of RA treatment after cancer diagnosis; most felt their concerns were clarified after the discussion with their physicians. Some patients were concerned about the risk of cancer development or recurrence due to RA treatment; few were concerned about the interaction between RA and cancer treatment. Patients were concerned about the impact of cancer treatment on RA and potential immunosuppression. Patients relied on discussions with their physician and their own previous experiences to make decisions. Most patients would consider taking a drug for RA even when its impact on cancer is unknown. Patients wanted to receive information about drugs’ efficacy and adverse effects, drug interactions, impact of RA drugs on cancer, and costs. Conclusions Our findings on informational needs, concerns, information delivery preferences, and desired level of involvement in the treatment-related decisions of patients with RA and cancer can facilitate the development of educational material that can help with shared decision-making in patients with RA and cancer. We identified important aspects related to the informational needs and concerns of patients with RA and cancer, including worries about not being able to receive RA treatment. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41927-025-00526-7Rheumatoid arthritisCancerQualitative researchDecision-makingDiseases-modifying antirheumatic drugs |
| spellingShingle | Juan I. Ruiz Sheneze T. Madramootoo Maria A. Lopez-Olivo Namrata Singh Maria E. Suarez-Almazor Beliefs, preferences, and informational needs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and concomitant cancer: a qualitative study BMC Rheumatology Rheumatoid arthritis Cancer Qualitative research Decision-making Diseases-modifying antirheumatic drugs |
| title | Beliefs, preferences, and informational needs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and concomitant cancer: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Beliefs, preferences, and informational needs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and concomitant cancer: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Beliefs, preferences, and informational needs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and concomitant cancer: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beliefs, preferences, and informational needs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and concomitant cancer: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Beliefs, preferences, and informational needs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and concomitant cancer: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | beliefs preferences and informational needs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and concomitant cancer a qualitative study |
| topic | Rheumatoid arthritis Cancer Qualitative research Decision-making Diseases-modifying antirheumatic drugs |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41927-025-00526-7 |
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