AB0187 Influence of Educational Level on The Outcomes of Rheumatoid Arthritis. (15th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Essafi, F.; Fazaa, A.; Kchaou, S.; Ben Abdelghani, K.; Kassab, S.; Chkili, S.; Laatar, A.; Zakraoui, L.
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 75(2016)Supplement 2
• Page Start: 961
• Page End: 961
• Publication Date: 2016-07-15
• Subjects: Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-eular.5020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Formal educational background has been associated with a worse health outcome and greater disease activity among patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of educational level on the outcomes of RA, in terms of disease activity and functional impairment. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, including patients with RA (1987 ACR criteria). Disease activity was evaluated by erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and Disease Activity Score (DAS28) ESR. Functional disability was assessed by Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Patients were classified according to their educational level into 4 categories: illiterate, primary, secondary or university levels. Statistical analysis was done using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression models. The significance level was set at p<0.05. Results: A total of 67 patients with RA were evaluated, 5 men and 62 women. The mean age was 53 years [28–75] and the mean disease duration was 9.19 years [1–30]. Eighty eight percent of patients were treated with synthetic DMARDs (Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs) and 20% were treated with biologic DMARDs. With regard to the educational level, 34.3% were illiterate, 20.89% had primary level, 34.3% secondary level and 10.44% had university level There were no statistically significant differences for ESR, CRP, DAS28 and HAQ when comparing the four educational levels (p=0.176, p=0.252, p=0.528, p=0.410, respectively). However, in the multivariate analysis, after adjusting for age and biologic DMARDs, DAS28 and HAQ were significantly associated to the educational level (p=0.024, p=0.014, respectively). Conclusions: This study shows that educational levels may have an influence on the disease activity and functional impairment in patients with RA. Disclosure of Interest: None declared