A cross-sectional study conducted in Jordan has revealed that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are younger, more educated, and financially better off tend to have a greater understanding of their disease, which may help guide future education-based interventions.
Researchers from Princess Basma Hospital and King Abdullah University Hospital assessed 225 RA patients using the Rheumatoid Arthritis Knowledge Assessment Scale (RAKAS) and EQ-5D-3L quality of life tool. They found that nearly 70% of patients had either adequate or excellent disease knowledge. However, only income level and disease activity were significantly associated with patients’ quality of life, while disease knowledge alone did not directly correlate with better outcomes.
Interestingly, patients with higher education levels and longer disease duration scored better on knowledge assessments, while higher income was linked to better health utility scores.
The study highlights the importance of patient education and socioeconomic factors in chronic disease management and suggests that tailored educational initiatives could empower patients to make informed treatment decisions and potentially improve long-term outcomes.
Reference
Albiss L et al. Disease knowledge and quality of life among rheumatoid arthritis patients: a cross-sectional study. BMC Rheumatol. 2025;DOI: 10.1186/s41927-025-00523-w.
