A 5-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF A CONTROLLED TRIAL OF AN ARTHRITIS EDUCATION-PROGRAM

A 5-yr follow-up of an arthritis education programme is reported. Afte r adjustment for those lost, deceased or moved away, the 5-yr response rate was 75% among intervention subjects and 78% among controls. Indi viduals who participated in the education programme maintained their i ncreased knowledge in some aspects. The relative difference in pain an d disability over 5 yr was greater in the control group. Most individu als were less active at practising exercise after 5 yr. Improvement in performing exercise and joint protection shown at 12-months follow-up did not persist. Additional questions after 5 yr showed that particip ants in the education programme had significantly more contact with rh eumatologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. The parti cipants developed an increased internal sense of control of the diseas e between 12 months and 5 yr. There was also a significant reduction i n reported problems with their disease after 12 months, maintained aft er 5 yr. This may indicate that patient education contributes to the p atient's feeling of responsibility for, and ability to cope with, thei r diseases.