ArticleRheumatology (Oxford, England)2023
'I turned in my man card': a qualitative study of the experiences, coping styles and support needs of men with systemic sclerosis.
Article in Rheumatology (Oxford, England), 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 9 citations in OpenAlex.
- Evaluating the Visible Difference Parenting Toolkit: an ACT-based intervention to improve parental/carer stress and psychosocial well-being of carers of children with appearance affecting conditions and injuries.Journal of pediatric psychology · 2026Article
- The mirror of illness: identity, embodiment, and clinical care in systemic sclerosis.Clinical rheumatology · 2026Review
- Advancing drug development for systemic sclerosis by prioritizing findings from human genetic association studies.Rheumatology (Oxford, England) · 2026Review
- Erectile dysfunction in dermatology and venereology: From aetiopathogenic mechanisms to practical considerations for dermato-venereologists.Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV · 2025Review
- Exploring complex links: inflammatory rheumatic diseases and men's health.Rheumatology international · 2024Review
- Rocky Paths: Family and Society as a Double-Edged Sword in the Strategies of Patients in Coping with Scleroderma: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery researchArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 8 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesMen with SSc have a more severe clinical phenotype and reduced survival compared with women. No previous psychosocial studies have focused solely on men with SSc. This study aimed to explore experiences, coping strategies and support preferences of men with SSc. MATERIAL AND
methodsAn international qualitative research study comprising seven focus groups (three USA, four UK) of 25 men with SSc. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
resultsThree overarching themes and one underpinning theme were identified. In 'impact of SSc on masculinity', the men described an 'impact on roles and activities', reported 'sex, intimacy, and erectile dysfunction' as a salient issue that may be overlooked by clinicians, and experienced challenges to 'masculine self-image'. 'Dealing with SSc' meant 'always being prepared', 'becoming an expert' and 'balancing priorities' in responsibilities, activities and symptom management. In 'support for living with SSc' men were selective in '(Not) talking about SSc', would '(reluctantly) accept help' and described 'preferences for support'. Underpinning these experiences was 'facing an uncertain future' with some participants preferring not to focus on an unpredictable future, and others worrying about disease progression.
conclusionThese novel data suggest SSc impacts male patients' masculine identity and roles, and although they will accept practical help, they may mask the full emotional impact. Sex and intimacy are important overlooked issues with erectile dysfunction often not discussed at diagnosis. Further research should develop a self-management intervention for men with rheumatic diseases with a combination of disease-specific and common core components.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.