Being Caught in a Vicious Circle: An Interview Study of Individuals Suffering From Grade II-IV Hiatal Hernia.
Berith Wennström, Susan Lindberg, Johanna Svensson and 3 others
PMID 37498778WHAT IT FOUND
People awaiting hiatal hernia surgery described unpredictable vomiting, pain, coughing and fear of losing control as dominating eating, work and social life.
They used strict routines to cope, and hope was tied to the operation.
Key findings
01Participants described vomiting, pain, cramps and coughing as unpredictable and beyond their control, ruling daily life.
02To manage daily life, participants restricted food, fasted during work, depended on toilets, and stayed home, leading to isolation.
03Hope was tied to the upcoming operation, despite participants rating health as the worst imaginable.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
This is a small interview study, so it describes these patients' experiences rather than showing how common they are. All participants were already planning surgery, so the findings may not apply to patients managed without an operation. The study was done at a Swedish hospital and required Swedish language, so it may not transfer to other settings. The researchers included surgeons and nurses who cared for these patients, which may have shaped the themes.
Declared interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that surgery improves symptoms or quality of life. It is a preoperative interview study of patient experiences, not a treatment outcome study.