title: The development of a questionnaire to evaluate rheumatoid arthritis patient's knowledge about methotrexate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Assess knowledge concerning methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis patients by means of a questionnaire.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Methotrexate is the standard drug for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. It has potentially serious side effects that can be largely prevented by making sure that patients are well informed and comply with prescription guidelines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire on methotrexate (mode of action, administration, drug interactions), side effects, monitoring and lifestyle implications was offered to all the rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with the drug seen between March and September 2013 in a large hospital in France.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and eighty-three patients (143 women), mean age 60 (13·5) years, with a median disease duration of 12 years [7-20] and treated with methotrexate for eight years [5-13] took part. Methotrexate was identified as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug by 78% of the patients. The weekly administration method was well assimilated (97%); 67% indicated that the rationale for folic acid was to reduce treatment toxicity. Only 21% knew that trimethoprim was contraindicated. Half were aware of the haematologic risk and 36% were aware of the risk of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. There was knowledge concerning laboratory testing (80%), but 54% thought they were only being monitored for rheumatoid arthritis activity. Only 13% of the men, but 90% of the women, of childbearing age knew that contraception was essential, and 75% indicated that alcohol consumption should be limited. A low knowledge score correlated significantly with age and low educational level. It was independent of sex, duration of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rheumatoid arthritis patient's knowledge concerning methotrexate is poor, particularly for the most serious side effects (haematologic and hypersensitivity pneumonitis), interactions with trimethoprim, and in men, the need for contraception.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient knowledge concerning methotrexate should be regularly checked and supported using the different therapeutic education tools available, especially when patients are older people and have had limited schooling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, C.H.U. Gabriel Montpied, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fayet
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, C.H.U. Gabriel Montpied, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Carine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Savel
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, C.H.U. Gabriel Montpied, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Malory
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodere
authors.affiliation: Biostatistics Unit, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, C.H.U. Gabriel Montpied, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Dihya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abdi
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, C.H.U. Gabriel Montpied, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Sylvain
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mathieu
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, C.H.U. Gabriel Montpied, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tournadre
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, C.H.U. Gabriel Montpied, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soubrier
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, C.H.U. Gabriel Montpied, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Jacques
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Dubost
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001364:Awareness; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D008727:Methotrexate
keywords: knowledge; methotrexate; rheumatoid arthritis; therapeutic education