title: Randomised study versus control group of customised therapeutic education for patients in follow-up for rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have evaluated customized objectives, predefined during a therapeutic education session for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four RA patients were randomised into patient therapeutic education (PTE) group versus waiting list (WL). The final comparative evaluation involved solving 3 predefined problems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-four were evaluated after 6 months. The main criterion was defined for all three of the chosen themes at 76.9% in the PTE group and 42.4% in the WL group. Among the other positively evaluated criteria were: less corticotherapy, more occupational therapy, more demand for social aid, more physical activity, knowledge of the recognition of an RA attack and how to cope with it. On the other hand, knowledge of the treatments did not differ between the 2 groups nor did the RAPID scores, fatigue, stiffness, depression, compliance, number of consultations and hospitalisations. Patient satisfaction was excellent (between 85.3 and 93.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is a good illustration of the position occupied and value of PTE in solving the problems specific to each RA case, the resulting high level of patient satisfaction and its independently complementary aspects relative to the purely medical treatment of RA. Customized PTE could better respond to specific patients problems in RA.
authors.affiliation: Nantes University Hospital, 1, place Alexis-Ricordeau, 44093 Nantes cedex, France.
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pot-Vaucel
authors.affiliation: Nantes University Hospital, 1, place Alexis-Ricordeau, 44093 Nantes cedex, France.
authors.forename: Marie-Pierre
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Aubert
authors.affiliation: Nantes University Hospital, 1, place Alexis-Ricordeau, 44093 Nantes cedex, France.
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guillot
authors.affiliation: Nantes University Hospital, 1, place Alexis-Ricordeau, 44093 Nantes cedex, France.
authors.forename: Joëlle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Glémarec
authors.affiliation: Nantes University Hospital, 1, place Alexis-Ricordeau, 44093 Nantes cedex, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Berthelot
authors.affiliation: Nantes University Hospital, 1, place Alexis-Ricordeau, 44093 Nantes cedex, France.
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Le Goff
authors.affiliation: Nantes University Hospital, 1, place Alexis-Ricordeau, 44093 Nantes cedex, France. Electronic address: yves.maugars@chu-nantes.fr.
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maugars
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D014850:Waiting Lists
keywords: Randomised study; Rheumatoid arthritis; Therapeutic education