Significant others in inflammatory arthritis: roles, influences, and challenges—a scoping review

Improving self-management in individuals with inflammatory arthritis (IA) is crucial for effective disease management. However, current recommendations primarily focus on interventions for the diagnosed individuals, overlooking the potential impact of their significant others on their self-management abilities. This review aims to fill this gap by identifying and mapping relevant research employing both qualitative and quantitative design to provide a broader understanding of the potential of significant others in relation to IA management. We examined studies published from 2007 to 2024 that explore our research questions using electronic databases and grey literature searches. Two independent reviewers meticulously screened and categorized the studies based on a developed framework employing basic content analysis. Out of 20.925 studies, 43 were included: 22 quantitative studies (including 1 educational trial), 20 qualitative studies, and 1 mixed-methods study. Our analysis of the included studies revealed that significant others predominantly provided practical and emotional support and could positively or negatively influence the person with IAs self-management abilities. Additionally, significant others reported their own feelings of emotional distress and expressed the need for knowledge, skills and social support enabling them to provide better support while taking care of them self. Greater focus on the significant others of those diagnosed with IA in their provision of support to this patient group may both improve the people with IA self-management skills and address significant others’ reported needs. Future studies should explore the impact of such initiatives through randomized controlled trials.