Care and treatment needs of immunosuppressive therapy patients with warts and impact on everyday life: a qualitative study

Introduction: Patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy have an increased risk of developing verrucae vulgaris (warts). They often suffer from dissemination of numerous warts, complicated by low treatment response and long-term treatment. How patients experience these challenges is not well characterized. The aim of this study was to explore how patients on immunosuppressive therapy experience everyday life with warts on the hands and feet, and their needs related to care and treatment. Methods: The study took a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 adults. Data were analyzed using the thematic analysis described by Braun and Clark. Results: Warts on the hands and feet impact everyday life and cause feelings of stigma and pain. Patients request treatment and hope to be cured although the prospects are poor. Self-treatment is experienced as a burden, because of the need for more specific information about and skills to treat the warts, and because individual patients’ resources are not considered. Patients experience a lack of care continuity. Conclusions: Patients request a person-centred care and treatment approach, to establish a relationship with health care professionals. Establishing care continuity might reduce patients’ treatment-related insecurity.