Rheumatoid Arthritis

Lecturer part time, married with three children. Third child born 8 years after RA diagnosis (1994). First interview 9/02 and second interview 11/03.

Freelance human resources consultant (part time), married with no children. Has had ankle surgery via private healthcare but other operations via NHS. Family history of RA.

Retired (on health grounds) lab assistant, married with two adult children.

Unemployed catering consultant. Cohabiting with partner.

Bank clerk, retired age 33 (due to RA). Single living with parents.

Partner' Educationalist (full time), married with three children.

Melissa lives with her parents and would like to do a writing course. She uses the Internet a lot emailing and talking to her friends abroad. Ethnic background/nationality' White British.

Pat is married and has two daughters aged 29 and 20 and no longer living at home. Pat is a housewife and does two hours a week of voluntary work in her local community centre. She says it helps her keep in touch with her community and provides an occasion to smart up. Ethnic background' White British.

Pearl is married with two grown up sons and a grandchild. She is a retired bank clerk. She had to take early retirement due to rheumatoid arthritis.Ethnic background' White British.