Subjective numeracy and preference to stay with the status quo.
Preference for the status quo, or clinical inertia, is a barrier to implementing treat-to-target protocols in patients with chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objectives of this study were to examine the influence of subjective numeracy on RA-patient preference for the status quo and to determine whether age modifies this relationship.



RA patients participated in a single face-to-face interview. Numeracy was measured using the Subjective Numeracy Scale. Treatment preference was measured using Adaptive Conjoint Analysis.



Of 205 eligible subjects, 156 agreed to participate. Higher subjective numeracy was associated with lower preference for the status quo in a regression model including race, employment, and use of biologics (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.71 [0.52-0.95], P = 0.02). Higher subjective numeracy was protective against status quo preferences among subjects younger than 65 years (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.64 (0.43-0.94), P = 0.02) but not among older subjects.



Subjective numeracy is independently associated with younger, but not older, RA patients' preferences for the status quo. Our results add to the literature demonstrating age and numeracy differences in treatment preferences and medical decision-making processes.
Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (LF)|VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (LF)
Liana
L
Fraenkel
Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, CT (MC)
Meaghan
M
Cunningham
Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (EP)
Ellen
E
Peters
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057240:Patient Preference; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
aging; decision making; numeracy; status quo bias