[Disease-related knowledge acquisition through structured patient information in rheumatoid arthritis (StruPI-RA) : First results of the StruPI-RA study in Germany].
Z Rheumatol 2021;
80:364-372. [PMID:
32926219 PMCID:
PMC8096752 DOI:
10.1007/s00393-020-00871-7]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE
The structured patient information for rheumatoid arthritis (StruPi-RA) program was the first standardized outpatient education program in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Germany. The main objective of the study was to determine the efficacy of the StruPi-RA program concerning disease-specific knowledge acquisition in patients with early stage RA or after changing the treatment regimen.
METHODS
A total of 61 patients were included in a control group design, 32 in the intervention group (IG) and 29 in the control group (CG). Patients of the IG attended 3 modules of 90 min in a structured patient information program (StruPI-RA) including the topics of diagnostics, treatment and living with RA. Patients in the CG only received information material from the German Rheumatism League. The primary target criterion was the disease-related acquisition of knowledge, measured with the patient knowledge questionnaire (PKQ). Data were collected before and after participation in StruPI-RA.
RESULTS
The improvement in knowledge in the IG attending the StruPI-RA compared to the CG was significant in time and group comparisons. No influence of disease duration or educational level was observed. The subscale treatment alone showed a significant difference in the group and time comparison.
CONCLUSION
Participation in the StruPI-RA program in early RA was associated with a significant increase in disease-specific knowledge compared to the control group of patients. This leads to better decision-making in terms of treatment, a more beneficial doctor-patient communication and better self-management. In the long term an improvement in treatment adherence and quality of life is expected.
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