IMPACT OF PATIENT WITH PATIENT INTERACTION ON PERCEIVED RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS OVERALL DISEASE STATUS

To determine whether patient interaction impacts on perceived disease severity and ability to cope with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) ferry RA p atients were assessed using joint counts, clinician global assessment, patient global assessment (PGA), VAS pain scale and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). All participants had six one-on-one conversation s about their disease activity and the effect of RA on their lives. Fo llow-up questionnaires asked about recall of pre-conversation PGA; pos t-conversation PGA; change in PGA; and change in ability to cope as a result of the conversations. 87.5% of the questionnaires were returned . Pre- and post-conversation PGA were statistically reliable; PGA scor e improved (P=0.004); 60.0% of participants felt their ability to cope with their disease improved as a result of this interaction. RA patie nts benefit from sharing information with like patients. Support group s may be an integral part of treatment strategy in patients with RA.