title: Education and self-care activities among persons with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Associations between low formal education and increased morbidity and mortality have been well established among persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other conditions. This study attempted to identify a partial explanation for the association between low education and poor outcomes among persons with RA by examining self-care activities performed by persons with different levels of education. Persons with 13+ yr of education were significantly more likely to perform specific self-care activities (e.g., using a heated pool, tub, shower, OR = 2.59; using relaxation methods, OR = 3.00; using stress control methods, OR = 2.41; avoiding certain foods, OR = 1.74). The association between education and performance of self-care activities was not linear. When significant differences were noted, 13 yr of education was usually the point at which performance was significantly different than among lower education groups; individuals with 12 yr of education often exhibited lower frequencies of particular behaviors than did individuals with 9-11 yr of education. The association between higher education and performance of more self-care activities may shed light on previously described associations between education and morbidity. However, low education should not be viewed as the cause of increased morbidity and mortality, but as a proxy for a constellation of factors responsible for poor health outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Arthritis Research Group, University of California at San Francisco, 94143-0920, USA.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Katz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002140:California; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome