Assessment of education requirements for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, based on the Polish version of the Educational Needs Assessment Tool (Pol-ENAT), in the light of some health problems - A cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
Patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis (RA) need advice in order to face the problems of everyday life, as well as suffering associated with the disease. Health professionals should attempt to raise the level of resourcefulness and independence of the patient.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship between the deficit of knowledge about RA and the degree of pain, fatigue, morning stiffness, assessment of disease activity as well as functional efficiency.


METHODS
The study was conducted on 277 patients with RA in 7 rheumatologic centres in Poland. The method applied was the questionnaire Pol-ENAT (0-156); HAQ DI (0-3); analog scales (0-100).


RESULTS
Mean (SD) age was 53.28 (13.01) and disease duration 13.70 (10.63) years. The mean (SD) value was 54.93 (23.17) for pain, 52.97 (21.98) for fatigue, 48.28 (24.76) for morning stiffness (0-100 mm). HAQ DI was 1.40 (0.66), with an upward trend with duration of disease (p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between the demand for knowledge about the movement (r=0.194; p=0.001), self-care (r=0.134; p=0.026), assistance/support(r =0.163; p=0.006) and morning stiffness experienced. There was a negative correlation between the need for knowledge concerning managing pain, feelings and the arthritis process and daily ability assessed with HAQ DI.


CONCLUSIONS
The study shows that health education should be targeted at young patients with early RA. In the case of the severity of morning joints stiffness, there is a need to increase knowledge about the methods of mobility aids, self-care and the possibility of obtaining support.
Department of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland.
Matylda
M
Sierakowska
Department of Nephrology, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland.
Małgorzata
M
Klepacka
Department of Rheumatology and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland.
Stanisław Józef
SJ
Sierakowski
Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Medical University in Poznań, Poland.
Katarzyna
K
Pawlak-Buś
Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Medical University in Poznań and J. Strus Municipal Hospital in Poznań, Poland.
Piotr
P
Leszczyński
Department of Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, Medical University in Lublin, Poland.
Maria
M
Majdan
Department of Connective Tissue Disease, Institute of Rheumatology in Warsaw, Poland.
Marzena
M
Olesińska
Poznań Centre of Rheumatology in Śrem, Poland.
Wojciech
W
Romanowski
Dr.Jadwiga Titz-Kosko Regional Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Sopot, Poland.
Małgorzata
M
Bykowska-Sochacka
Department of Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, Collegium Medicum, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Sławomir
S
Jeka
Department of Foreign Languages, Medical University, Bialystok, Poland.
Justyna Anna
JA
Sierakowska
Academic & Clinical Unit for Musculoskeletal Nursing, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
Mwidimi
M
Ndosi
Department of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland.
Elżbieta
E
Krajewska-Kułak
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011044:Poland; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors