Beyond the clinical context: the process of losing oneself living with Huntington’s disease

Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases

Rosa A. Estrada-Acuña¹  María-Antonia Martorell-Poveda²  María-Mercedes Arias³  Luz-Estella Varela³  Clara V. Giraldo³ 

[1] Bio3Science Research Network, Belonging to Geography and Urban Studies, Temple University;Nursing Faculty, Universidad Rovira I Virgili;Nursing Faculty, University of Antioquia;

关键词: Loss of autonomy;    Physical dependence on another person;    Loss of sense of self;    Grounded theory;    Neurodegenerative condition;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13023-022-02330-9

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background People with Huntington's disease (HD) have increased functional and cognitive dependence. While numerous clinical, genetic, and therapeutic management studies have been carried out, few studies have investigated the disease from the personal experience and the context of people living with HD. To better serve these patients, our purpose is to understand, from the perspective of the patient and their families, how people with HD cope with their daily lives outside the clinical setting. Methods Thirty-three affected or at-risk people participated in this study. Participants were interviewed at their homes on distinct occasions during a family visit. We analyzed the data using Grounded Theory, which allowed us to understand how people live with the disease on their own terms. Results Living with HD is a process that begins with acceptance or denial that one is at risk for the disease or, growing awareness of the condition due to motor, behavioral, and cognitive changes, and, finally, loss of autonomy with physical dependence on another person, and loss of sense of self and family. Conclusion While the daily life of patients before disease onset was characterized by physical and mental/cognitive independence, with HD they become increasingly trapped in their bodies, and their complications are due to the lack of effective curable therapy.

【 授权许可】

Unknown