Table 1.

Examples showing how units were interpreted and coded into themes for answers given to the open question

Main theme	Sub-theme	Selected unit	Interpretation
Physical health	Light physical activity causes physical complaints	“When I have to walk up and down the stairs, I move up the stairs in a sitting position and then I’m very short of breath.”	Going up the stairs is a difficult and laborious exercise, which causes shortness of breath.
Physical health	Heavy physical activity causes physical symptoms	“Especially, during heavy physical exertions, you feel some pain at times, and you experience some shortness of breath.”	Heavy physical exertion triggers pain and shortness of breath.
Physical health	Stamina	“My stamina is, of course, somewhat lower than others. I think that is actually the most important point.”	Stamina is lower in comparison to others.
Autonomy	Asking for help	“Now I have to ask others can you please help me? Mind you, I haven’t done it yet, but that’s very hard.”	It is difficult to ask others for help.
Autonomy	Independence	“Then I get irritable, because I like to do everything myself, and I’m not able to do that.”	Loss of independence causes anger.