Patient knowledge of their disease: a French multicenter study in ankylosing spondylitis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess knowledge of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by patients and to identify factors associated with knowledge.


METHODS
Ninety patients receiving follow-up in France for AS completed a disease knowledge auto-questionnaire yielding a correct answer score [CAS] and a correct item score [CIS]. Correlations between these scores and other factors were examined.


RESULTS
Mean CAS was 16.4/25 (SD = 4.8) and mean CIS 7.3 +/- 3.1/14. Female gender, higher educational level, having read about AS, being aware of AS support groups, and having received longer tertiary-care hospital management were associated with better knowledge. In the multivariate analysis, only three factors were independently associated with the level of knowledge in this population: "reading about AS", "level of general education", and "awareness of an AS support group".


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of AS by French patients was lower than previously reported in a British population. Although education should be offered to all AS patients, the need may be greater in those with limited formal schooling. Booklets on the disease and contact with patient groups seem to be useful tools for improving knowledge of the disease.
Claudepierre
Pascal
P
Department of Rheumatology, Hôpital Henri Mondor, AP-HP, Créteil, France. pascal.claudepierre@hmn.ap-hop-paris.fr
Flipo
René-Marc
RM
Sibilia
Jean
J
Berthelot
Jean-Marie
JM
Goupille
Philippe
P
Cortinovis
Sébastien
S
Cunin
Patrick
P
Chevalier
Xavier
X
Wendling
Daniel
D
D000328:Adult; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires