‘I just thought it was normal aches and pains’: a qualitative study of decision-making processes in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Symptom evaluation is a key factor influencing how quickly medical advice is sought in other diseases. In contrast to the situation with many cancers where there is widespread association of symptoms and signs with the eventual diagnosis, this was not the case in RA. Our findings should inform strategies to reduce delays in help-seeking in people with early RA.