Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and unspecified polyarthritis were randomised to the intervention (n = 71) or usual care (n = 70). The intervention consisted of three group educational sessions followed by one individual educational session. The primary outcomes were a patient's global well-being and arthritis self-efficacy. Secondary outcomes were patient activation, physical and psychological health status, educational needs and disease activity.
After four months the intervention group had significantly better global well-being, 95%CI (2.3-14.1), p = 0.01, and self-efficacy, 95%CI (0.2-8.1), p = 0.04, than the control group. There were also trends for improved disease activity, and a statistically significant improvement in patient activation and pain in the intervention group.
This patient educational programme consisting of group sessions and nurse-delivered individual education has statistically significant benefits for global well-being and maintaining a level of self-efficacy in managing other symptoms in patients with polyarthritis.
This educational programme allows patients to learn from each other in addition to addressing individual educational needs.