Table 1 Patient-reported recurrent pericarditis symptom and impact domains description table
Symptom or impact domain reported by participant | Descriptiona | Frequency of participant reportsb |
|---|---|---|
(N = 10) | ||
n (%) | ||
Symptoms | ||
Chest pain | Described as sharp, stabbing, dull, or aching pain or pressure in the chest, which can radiate to the neck and shoulders | 10 (100.0%) |
Tiredness | Described as physical exhaustion lasting a few days, which may co-occur with shortness of breath and affect one’s activity level | 8 (80.0%) |
Shortness of breath | Described as difficulty breathing and losing breath quickly, similar to a feeling of suffocation | 7 (70.0%) |
Fever | Described as a low-grade fever that can include hot flashes or chills | 6 (60.0%) |
Heart palpitations | Described as the heart beating rapidly and arrhythmically and causing discomfort | 5 (50.0%) |
Chest pressure | Described as discomfort or heaviness in the chest | 3 (30.0%) |
Cough | Described as uncomfortable and painful sporadic coughing episodes triggered by a tickling feeling | 3 (30.0%) |
Swelling | Described as swollen feet and legs that feel tight and bloated, possibly associated with lack of circulation | 2 (20.0%) |
Abdominal pain | Described as intense pain above the navel | 1 (10.0%) |
Bone pain | Described as bearable pain in the bones, feeling like soreness in the upper back | 1 (10.0%) |
Difference in breathing | Described as difficulty breathing, both as difficulty inhaling deeply and breathing deeper and longer than usual | 1 (10.0%) |
Flutters | Described as an uncomfortable sensation of the heart beating rapidly | 1 (10.0%) |
Neck pain | Described as sharp nerve pain in the neck affecting neck mobility | 1 (10.0%) |
Impact domains | ||
Activities of daily living | Described in the following ways Inability to complete plans and daily activities Inability to begin or complete household tasks, such as cleaning, cooking, and/or yard work Impacts on driving (or fear of driving due to symptoms) Diet and lifestyle changes Inability to go shopping | 9 (90.0%) |
Physical impacts | Described in the following ways | 8 (80.0%) |
Difficulty exercising and restrictions on exercising | ||
Feeling dizzy (due to shortness of breath) | ||
Inability to lay down (due to pain and shortness of breath) | ||
Feeling the need to rest (due to heart palpitations) | ||
Psychological impacts | Described in the following ways Feeling scared because of symptoms Feeling depressed because of symptoms Feeling anxious, worried, or concerned because of chest pain Not feeling normal and wanting to feel normal (due to symptoms) Annoyance due to symptoms Feeling like a burden to others Feeling miserable due to chest pain | 8 (80.0%) |
Sleep impacts | Described in the following ways Waking up frequently or suddenly after falling asleep (associated with chest pain and shortness of breath) | 7 (70.0%) |
Social impacts | Described in the following ways Not being able to go out with friends or attend events | 6 (60.0%) |
Relationship impacts | Described in the following ways Not being able to go to family events Emotional distance or less activity with significant other Feeling distant from family Not being able to support family as much | 6 (60.0%) |
Work or school impacts | Described in the following ways Not being able to go to work Not being able to work as much or as effectively Saving up sick hour to take off when experiencing symptoms Feeling less comfortable with coworkers | 6 (60.0%) |
Hobbies or leisure impacts | Described in the following ways Inability to travel or go on vacations Inability to attend church | 4 (40.0%) |
Mobility impacts | Described in the following ways Impact on climbing stairs Difficulty writing due to chest pain experienced into the shoulder Shoes feeling uncomfortably tight due to swelling of feet | 3 (30.0%) |
Financial impacts | Described in the following ways Increased co-pays due to the condition | 1 (10.0%) |
Romantic impacts | Described in the following ways Not feeling intimate with significant other as a result of symptoms | 1 (10.0%) |