A Qualitative Exploration of Patient Perspectives on Psychosocial Burdens and Positive Factors in Adults With Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Authors

W Conor Rork
Alyssa G Hertz
Andrew D Wiese
Kristin M Kostick
Dianne Nguyen
Sophie C Schneider
Whitney S Shepherd
Hannah Cho
Members of the BBDC
Chaya N Murali
Brendan Lee
V Reid Sutton
Eric A Storch

Publication Date

9-1-2023

Journal

American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A

DOI

10.1002/ajmg.a.63323

PMID

37317786

PMCID

PMC10525007

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

9-1-2024

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Published Open-Access

yes

Keywords

Humans, Adult, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Fractures, Bone, Fear, Phenotype, Uncertainty, Patient perspectives, Osteogenesis imperfecta, Brittle bone disease, Anxiety, Pain, Treatment

Abstract

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a pleiotropic, heritable connective tissue disorder associated with a wide range of health implications, including frequent bone fracture. While progress has been made to understand the spectrum of these physical health implications, the impact of OI on psychosocial well-being, as well as protective factors that buffer against adverse psychosocial outcomes, remain understudied. This present study relies on a qualitative approach to assess patient perspectives on both protective and adverse psychosocial factors specific to OI in 15 adults with varying disease status. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, subsequently coded, and themes extracted. Themes concerning psychosocial burdens (i.e., negative affective and behavioral impacts of disease status) and protective factors were identified from cooperatively-coded transcripts (two coders per transcript). Participants reported experiencing an increase in negative affect and disease-related distress after fracturing a bone and during recovery. Fear and concern specific to the uncertainty of future bone fractures and negative self-image was common. In contrast to these negative impacts, participants additionally described positive orientations toward their disease and attributed positive traits to their lived experience with a chronic disease. While limited due to small sample size and lack of ethno-racial diversity, findings highlight a need for continued research on the relationship between OI disease status and psychosocial outcomes, as well as the development of psychological interventions designed for OI populations. Findings have relevant clinical applications for healthcare providers working with those diagnosed with OI.