This study was performed to describe and understand the meaning of living with persistent rheumatoid arthritis.

Notwithstanding access to potent antirheumatic treatment, a considerable number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis live with an ongoing active and symptomatic sickness. But, there is inadequate knowledge about the meaning of living with this severe long-term illness, known as persistent rheumatoid arthritis.

This is a descriptive design based on a hermeneutic phenomenological method. Ten adults with at least five years disease duration suffering from persistent rheumatoid arthritis were evaluated. The  van Manen's method was used to analyse the interviews.

Overall four themes were drawn from living with persistent rheumatoid arthritis i.e. radical changes and limitations in one's life, an existence influenced by painful symptoms and treatment, a dependency on those who are close by and the world around and a continual struggle to cope with one's life and to conquer the illness.

The life world was influenced to a varying extent and in many ways by the illness but also by the dependence on its treatment and care that was not experienced as sufficiently meeting needs in terms of security, access to and coordination of care plus team and rehabilitation facilities.

Persistent rheumatoid arthritis and its treatment necessitate a radical effect on the person's life and quality of life. The individual requirements of a person with rheumatoid arthritis is not met with the present ordinary rheumatology care in a favorable way.

Efficient development of care and the relief of suffering can be achieved by a considerable knowledge about and understanding of the person who lives with persistent rheumatoid arthritis. A holistic approach to conventional clinical practice, like person-centred care, could be regarded as an innovative model of care. The explorations of this study might serve as data for educational and counselling purposes for healthcare professionals.