Use of qualitative methods to optimize collaborative practices by highlighting differences in perceptions between professionals: an example of patient education.

Interprofessional working must be approached within health promotion interventions using systematic methods to identify areas of suboptimal collaboration. We designed a qualitative study with a purposive sample of seven French therapeutic patient education programs. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 14 healthcare providers and seven clinician leaders (coordinators) involved in patient education. We used the same interview guide and thematic grid regardless of the professional's profile to compare their perceptions on elements affecting outcome, participation and sustainability of programs. Healthcare providers and coordinators addressed non-convergent issues at both ends of a continuum from a micro-level nested in the program delivery to a macro-level corresponding to the structured implementation and sustainability of the program. Meso-level issues featured convergent perspectives. Our methodology could be used at the level of health services in a health system to provide a complete recovery of stakeholders' perspectives (without "blind spots" from one stakeholder or another). In our study, we focused on patient education in the French health system and pointed out possible considerations to optimize the functioning of programs. Such considerations include specific training plan development, encouraging reflection on the content and use of initial assessment, leading sessions in pairs to save on work time, and communication on the ins and outs of organizational imperatives that require healthcare providers' contributions.

Tailored patient therapeutic educational interventions: A patient-centred communication model.

BACKGROUND: Tailoring therapeutic education consists of adapting the intervention to patients' needs with the expectation that this individualization will improve the results of the intervention. Communication is the basis for any individualization process. To our knowledge, there is no guide or structured advice to help healthcare providers (HCPs) tailor patient education interventions. OBJECTIVES: We used a data-driven qualitative analysis to (1) investigate the reasons why HCPs tailor their educational interventions and (2) identify how this tailoring is effectively conducted. The perspective aimed to better understand how to individualize therapeutic patient education and to disentangle the different elements to set up studies to investigate the mechanisms and effects of individualization. DESIGN: Individual semistructured interviews with 28 HCPs involved in patient education were conducted. The present study complied with the COREQ criteria. RESULTS: Why individualization is necessary: participants outlined that the person must be thought of as unique and that therapeutic education should be adapted to the patient's personality and cognitive abilities. The first step in the individualization process was formalized by an initial patient assessment. Several informal practices were identified: if needed, giving an individual time or involving a specific professional; eliciting individual objectives; reinforcing the relationship by avoiding asymmetrical posture; focusing on patients' concerns; leading sessions in pairs; and making the patient the actor of decisions. CONCLUSION: From our thematic data analysis, a model for tailoring patient education interventions based on the Haes and Bensing medical communication framework is proposed. The present work paves the way for evaluation, then generation of recommendations and finally implementation of training for individualization in educational interventions. SHORT INFORMATIVE: Tailoring in therapeutic education consists of an adaptation to patients' needs. Communication is the basis for any individualization process. There is no model of patient-centred communication in educational interventions. From semistructured interviews with HCPs, we propose a patient-centred communication model for tailoring patient education intervention.

Characteristics of patients with knee and/or hip osteoarthritis undergoing spa treatment: the prospective KHOALA cohort study.

Knee and hip osteoarthritis (KHOA) are a source of functional impairment. With aging, the management of osteoarthritis (OA) is a major issue in the search for improved quality of life. Spa treatment provides short- and mid-term symptom relief without serious side effects. This study aimed to identify characteristics of patients with KHOA associated with use of spa treatment. The prospective KHOALA cohort included 878 adults aged 40 to 75 years with symptomatic KHOA. We separately analyzed knee and hip OA data and compared patients who never had spa treatment with those who had at least one or multiple treatments during 5 years of follow-up in terms of socio-demographic characteristics, clinical data, quality of life (OAKHQOL, SF-36), physical activity (MAQ), functional impairment (WOMAC), and health care consumption (pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments). Factors associated with at least one or multiple spa treatments were evaluated with regression logistic models. In all, 607 (69.1%) patients had knee OA (KOA), 222 (25.3%) hip OA (HOA) and 49 (5.6%) both, 91 (13.9%) with KOA, and 33 (12.2%) with HOA had at least one spa treatment. In the KOA cohort, the probability of at least one, two, or three spa treatments was increased with older age (odds ratio = 1.6 [95% confidence interval 1.2-2.2], 1.8 [1.2-2.8], 2.4 [1.4-4.2], respectively), greater use of physiotherapy (OR = 3.9 [2.1-7.1], 2.7 [1.3-5.6], 2.5 [1.1-5.9]), having a prosthesis (OR = 2.1 [1.2-3.8], 2.2 [1.1-4.3], 2.5 [1.1-5.5]), and low MAQ score (OR = 0.7 [0.6-0.9], 0.7 [0.5-1.0], 0.7 [0.5-1.0]). In the HOA cohort, female sex was associated with at least one (OR = 3.0 [1.1-8.0]) or two (OR = 5.1 [1.2-22.5]) spa treatments. In this cohort of KHOA, repeated spa treatment over 5 years was strongly associated with older age, greater use of physiotherapy and presence of a prothesis with KOA and female sex with HOA. This study may help to better understand spa treatment determinants in OA.

Trajectory analysis combining pain and physical function in individuals with knee and hip osteoarthritis: results from the French KHOALA cohort.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to identify homogeneous subgroups of knee and/or hip OA patients with distinct trajectories of the combination of pain and physical function (PF) over time and to determine the baseline factors associated with these trajectories. METHODS: We used data from the Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis Long-term Assessment (KHOALA) cohort, a French population-based cohort of 878 patients with symptomatic knee and/or hip OA. Pain and PF were measured annually over 5 years with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 questionnaire. First, trajectory models were estimated with varying numbers of groups for each of the outcomes separately then fitted into a multi-trajectory model. We used multinomial logistic regression to determine the baseline characteristics associated with each trajectory. RESULTS: Univariate four-class models were identified as most appropriate for pain and PF. Comparison of separate trajectories showed that 41% of patients included in the severe functional limitations trajectory did not belong to the more severe pain trajectory (Cramér's V statistic = 0.45). Group-based multi-trajectory modelling revealed four distinct trajectories of pain and PF. On multivariate analyses, female sex, older age, high Kellgren grade, low physical activity intensity, low psychosocial distress score (high distress) and low vitality score were associated with the more severe symptoms trajectory. CONCLUSION: Over 5 years, we identified four distinct trajectories combining pain and PF. Management of weight, fatigue and psychosocial distress and the practice of physical activity seem important to maintain function and limit pain in patients with lower-limb OA.

Patients and relatives coping with inflammatory arthritis: Care teamwork.

OBJECTIVE: To explore how patients and relatives experience and talk together about their life with inflammatory arthritis. DESIGN: Qualitative research. SETTING: A convenience sample was used. Participants were recruited in seven rheumatology departments in France. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis or spondyloarthritis, agreeing to participate in the study with a relative, age at least 18 years. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two psychologists conducted face-to-face interviews with 20 patient-relative dyads (40 individuals). A thematic analysis followed a general inductive approach. RESULTS: Saturation was reached after interviews with 20 dyads. The analysis revealed four main themes: (a) disease 'lived' together: a new role for the relative (providing help in physical tasks, emotional support, acting as a driving force, having a role in medical care) and communication around the disease (not focusing on the disease); (b) impact of the disease on the relationship; (c) social impact of the disease on the dyad (social isolation); (d) difficulties and needs of the relative (need to better know the disease). CONCLUSION: This study has highlighted the importance of recognizing the role of the relative in the management of inflammatory arthritis disease, especially when medical decisions are shared with professionals. A joint approach to treatment is a basis for coping with the disease. This approach supposes (a) discussions about relatives' new roles to clarify them, (b) patients' and relatives' communication skills and (c) a good understanding of each other, which can be improved by providing information on the disease and coping strategies for both the patient and the relative.

Understanding Patients' Perspectives and Educational Needs by Type of Osteoporosis in Men and Women and People with Glucocorticosteroid-Induced Osteoporosis: A Qualitative Study to Improve Disease Management.

The aim of the study was to investigate similarities and differences in health beliefs, experiences and educational needs by type of osteoporosis (OP), particularly in people with glucocorticoid-induced OP (GIOP) and men. A qualitative study was conducted via focus groups involving post-menopausal women with or without osteoporotic fractures, osteoporotic men and people with GIOP. Fifty-three participants were included in eight groups. A wide range of health beliefs was found for all types of OP. Osteoporosis was considered a natural consequence of ageing except in men or conversely a serious disease associated with risk of new fractures and disability. GIOP patients had heterogeneous knowledge of OP and reported fewer prevention behaviours, and their quality of life was affected by the causal illness. Men had difficulties coping with the loss of their functional abilities and felt that OP was a "women's" disease. Beliefs about treatments ranged from confidence to fear of adverse effects or doubt about efficacy in all types of OP. Participants were interested in physical activity, fall prevention and diet, and preferred group sessions. GIOP patients and men had an interest in face-to-face education. Men were also interested in brief information including via the Internet. Patients' beliefs about OP differed by type of OP. Specific populations such as men or people with GIOP need particular care owing to experiences and needs. Offering group sessions in educational interventions is of interest to allow for sharing experiences and also face-to-face education for men and GIOP patients or the Internet for men.

Impact of comorbidities and functional impairment on 5-year loss of health utility in patients with lower-limb osteoarthritis in the KHOALA cohort.

PURPOSE: To examine the respective and combined impact of "hypothetical" functional impairment (FI) and burden of comorbidities accrual on a 5-year risk of health utility (HU) loss in osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Participants of the Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis Long-term Assessment (KHOALA) study with a 5-year follow-up were included. FI, number of comorbidities and HU were measured annually by the WOMAC, Functional Comorbidity Index and Short-Form 6D, respectively. We estimated the population risk of HU loss (PRD: population risk difference, PRR: population risk ratio) under hypothetical FI and comorbidities using the parametric G-formula. Then, mediation analysis investigated the causal mechanism of comorbidities on HU through FI by estimating total, direct and indirect effects. RESULTS: We examined data from 767 patients (68.8% women; 61.6 years). The estimated 5-year risk of HU loss was 47.5% [41.9; 52.2] under natural course and 24.9% [15.5; 34.2] when imposing "Patient acceptable function and No comorbidity" corresponding to a PRD = - 22.6 [- 26.5; - 21.2] and a PRR = 0.5 [0.4; 0.6]. The estimated total risk of HU loss comparing "Two comorbidities" versus "No comorbidity" was significant without mediation effect of FI: Total = 10.1% [6.8; 12.9]; direct = 8.0% [2.7; 13.1]; indirect = 2.1% [- 2.0; 5.2]. CONCLUSIONS: FI and comorbidities are important and independent determinants of HU loss in patient with OA. Half of cases (50%) of HU loss during 5 years could be avoided by preventing comorbidities (30%) and limiting FI under patient acceptable function (20%). Caregivers should additionally pay close attention to the prevention and the treatment of comorbidities in routine management of OA.

Comparison of high-frequency intensive balneotherapy with low-frequency balneotherapy combined with land-based exercise on postural control in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a randomized clinical trial.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) can generate postural control impairments which can increase fall risk. Land-based exercise (LBE) and balneotherapy are two modalities currently prescribed, but the impact of the latter on balance control has not been studied. This study aimed to compare two programs of balneotherapy with or without LBE to improve postural control, looking at frequency and duration of treatment. A total of 236 KOA patients (mean age = 64 years) were included in this prospective and randomized study: 122 patients went through 3 weeks of standardized continuous balneotherapy (high frequency/short duration) program (Gr1) and 114 went through 3 weeks of discontinuous (low frequency) balneotherapy program followed by 3 weeks of LBE (Gr2). The total number of treatment sessions was the same for both groups. Posturography was carried out before balneotherapy (W0) and at 3 (W3), 6 (W6), and 12 (W12) weeks after the beginning of treatment. Postural control increased in Gr1 from W0 to W3 and from W0 to W12 and in Gr2 from W0 to W6 and from W3 to W6. The improvement was greater in Gr1 from W0 to W3 and from W6 to W12 and in Gr2 from W3 to W6. High-frequency intensive balneotherapy improved posture control at 3 weeks, while low-frequency balneotherapy did not. This improvement persisted over a 12-week assessment period at the same level. LBE generated an improvement that did not persist over time. Sustained improvement of postural control requires high-frequency repetition of consecutive balneotherapy sessions.

Can the e-OAKHQOL be an alternative to measure health-related quality of life in knee osteoarthritis?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity of the e-OAKHQOL questionnaire and analyze whether the answers were affected by the form of administration (electronic vs. paper). METHODS: Two samples of patients with knee osteoarthritis were constituted. The first was recruited by general practitioners. Patients could choose to respond to the electronic or paper version. The second included subjects who responded to the paper version and were matched with respondents to the electronic version in the first sample. The OAKHQOL questionnaire measures health-related quality of life in five dimensions (43 items): physical activity, mental health, pain, social functioning, and social support. Validity was assessed by the classical test theory (CTT) and a Rasch measurement model (partial credit model). RESULTS: The electronic form was preferred by 471 (89.7%) patients: 345 were matched to respondents of the paper version. The percentage of missing responses was lower with the electronic than paper form (1.6 vs. 2.0%, p = .01). Rasch analysis revealed four items with underfitting. Internal consistency was excellent for physical activity (PSI = 0.96) and mental health (PSI = 0.93) but was slightly < 0.85 for the other dimensions. The top-down purification highlighted the significance of DIF by gender in the pain dimension and by form of questionnaire in the mental health dimension. CONCLUSION: CTT and Rasch analysis demonstrated acceptable measurement properties for the five dimensions of the e-OAKHQOL, so it may be a valuable alternative to the paper form for measuring HRQoL.

Management of dyslipidaemia in high-risk patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis: targets still not met despite specific recommendations. Results from the ESPOIR cohort during the first five years of follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: Reduction of LDL-cholesterol (LDLc) is essential to decrease the cardiovascular mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Between 2005 and 2010, French recommendations for dyslipidaemia defined the LDLc target based on the number of cardiovascular risk factors. In 2006, it was recommended to consider LDLc objectives with RA being counted as an additional cardiovascular risk factor. Our objective was to assess lipid target achievement between 2006 and 2010 in a cohort of patients with recent-onset RA. METHODS: 814 patients were included between 2002 and 2005 in a French cohort of patients with early arthritis and a high probability of RA (ESPOIR). Repeated cross-sectional analyses for cardiovascular risk factors, cholesterol levels were performed every year from 2006 to 2010 to determine lipid profile and achievement of the LDLc goal according to the French guidelines. RESULTS: On the 620 patients analysed at the first point, 77% were female, 89.8% fulfilled the ACR criteria for RA and 2.7% received a statin. The proportion of patients failing to achieve the LDLc target did not improve following the publication of specific RA guidelines in 2006 (15.3 to 22.5% between 2006 and 2010). In patients with the highest cardiovascular risk, more than 58% did not reach the LDLc target. CONCLUSIONS: Specific recommendations for RA published in 2006 decreased LDLc target but did not improve management of dyslipidaemia in daily life which remained suboptimal particularly in patients at highest risk.

Radiography and abdominal CT compared with sacroiliac joint CT in the diagnosis of sacroiliitis.

Background The presence of structural sacroiliitis is strong evidence for the diagnosis of spondyloarthritis (SpA). Purpose To assess the performance of abdominal computed tomography (CT) and pelvic plain radiography for the diagnosis of structural sacroiliitis compared with sacroiliac CT (SI joint CT) considered the reference technique in patients with SpA. Material and Methods All SpA patients eligible for biologic treatment were selected from 2005 to 2012. An assessment of sacroiliitis was based on radiography according to the modified New York criteria and on abdominal CT and SI joint CT scans depending on the presence of erosion on at least two consecutive slices. A senior rheumatologist and radiologist independently scored the grade and diagnosis of structural sacroiliitis for the three imaging modalities. After a consensus reading of conflicting examinations (radiography and CT), a final diagnosis of structural sacroiliitis was attained. Results Of the 72 patients selected, sacroiliitis was diagnosed on radiography, abdominal CT, and SI joint CT in 40, 31, and 44 patients, respectively. Inter-reader agreements for the grade of sacroiliitis were substantial for the three imaging modalities, with a weighted kappa range of 0.63-0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52-0.83), and they were moderate for the diagnosis of sacroiliitis, with a kappa range of 0.50-0.55 (95% CI, 0.32-0.74). The sensitivity and specificity were 79.1% and 70.5%, respectively, for radiography and 82.1% and 100%, respectively, for abdominal CT. Conclusion This study demonstrates the relevance of abdominal CT for the diagnosis of structural sacroiliitis, with good sensitivity and excellent specificity. These imaging techniques avoid unnecessary examinations.

Influence of meteorological elements on balance control and pain in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

This study aimed to determine if pain and balance control are related to meteorological modifications in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). One hundred and thirteen patients with knee OA (mean age = 65 ± 9 years old, 78 women) participated in this study. Static posturography was performed, sway area covered and sway path traveled by the center of foot pressure being recorded under six standing postural conditions that combine three visual situations (eyes open, eyes closed, vision altered) with two platform situations (firm and foam supports). Knee pain score was assessed using a visual analog scale. Balance control and pain measurements recorded in the morning were correlated with the meteorological data. Morning and daily values for temperature, precipitation, sunshine, height of rain in 1 h, wind speed, humidity, and atmospheric pressure were obtained from the nearest data collecting weather station. The relationship between postural control, pain, and weather variations were assessed for each patient on a given day with multiple linear regressions. A decrease of postural stability was observed when atmospheric pressure and maximum humidity decreased in the morning (p < 0.05) and when atmospheric pressure decreased within a day (p < 0.05). Patient's knee pain was more enhanced when it is warmer in the morning (p < 0.05) and when it is wetter and warmer within a day (p < 0.05). The relationship between weather, pain, and postural control can help patients and health professionals to better manage daily activities.

Aiming for SDAI remission versus low disease activity at 1†year after inclusion in ESPOIR cohort is associated with better 3-year structural outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Using data for patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from the ESPOIR cohort, we aimed to evaluate the impact of remission versus low disease activity (LDA) by the Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI) at 1 year on 3-year structural damage assessed by the modified Sharp-van der Heijde total score (mTSS) and functional impairment assessed by the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). METHODS: We included 625 patients from the ESPOIR cohort who fulfilled the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism criteria for RA at baseline and had an SDAI score at 1 year. mTSS and HAQ-DI scores were compared at 3 years for patients with SDAI remission or LDA status at 1 year. A linear mixed model was used to assess the independent effect of SDAI status at 1 year on mTSS and HAQ-DI at 3 years. RESULTS: Of the 625 patients included (mean (SD) age 48.5 (12.1) years; 491 (78.6%) were women), 121 (19.4%) were in SDAI remission and 223 (35.7%) in LDA at 1 year. The mean (SD) mTSS and HAQ-DI score at 3 years was 9.6 (9.2) and 0.23 (0.42), respectively, for patients in remission at 1 year and 15.8 (16.1) and 0.43 (0.52), respectively, for patients with LDA (both p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed an association of remission rather than LDA status at 1 year and reduced mTSS score (p=0.005) but not HAQ-DI score (p=0.4) at 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Aiming for SDAI remission rather than LDA at 1 year leads to better radiographic outcomes at 3 years in early RA patients.

Development of patient-centred standards of care for osteoarthritis in Europe: the eumusc.net-project.

OBJECTIVE: The eumusc.net project is an initiative founded by the European Community and the European League Against Rheumatism. One aim of the project was to facilitate equal standards for musculoskeletal health across Europe. The aim of this work-package was to develop patient-centred and consensus based standards of care (SOC) for osteoarthritis (OA), which should be available in a professional and a patient version. METHODS: A systematic review concerning guidelines dealing with OA was conducted. Furthermore, experts in musculoskeletal diseases were contacted to ensure that 'grey' literature was not excluded. Documents that fulfilled predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria were included and all interventions for OA were extracted and categorised. Based on this list of interventions, a three round Delphi exercise with an international and multidisciplinary expert panel, including patient research partners, was performed to achieve expert consensus. RESULTS: Six documents were included and used for further analysis. Out of them, 46 interventions have been extracted and 10 consensus based SOC were formulated. In addition, a patient version, written in a lay-understandable wording and in the format of checklist questions was developed. An example is SOC 5: "People with OA should achieve optimal pain control using pharmacological and non-pharmacological means." The matching patient-centred checklist question reads: "Do I know how to control pain associated with OA?" CONCLUSIONS: The SOC for OA will be available in the 23 languages of the European Union to enhance unified information to patients and professionals and to further harmonise the treatment/care of OA within Europe.

Validity of the global anti-phospholipid syndrome score to predict thrombosis: a prospective multicentre cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the validity of the global APS score (GAPSS) to predict thrombosis in patients with autoimmune diseases. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included consecutive patients with aPL or SLE. aPL, aPS-PT and GAPSS were determined. A Cox proportional hazards model assessed the validity of GAPSS and identified other potential independent predictors of thrombosis. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-seven patients [43.5 (s.d. 15.4) years old; 107 women] were followed up for a mean duration of 43.1 (s.d. 20.7) months. Mean GAPSS was significantly higher in patients who experienced a thrombotic event compared with those without [10.88 (s.d. 5.06) vs 8.15 (s.d. 5.31), respectively, P = 0.038]. In univariate analysis, age [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.04 (95% CI 1.01, 1.08)] and GAPSS above 16 [HR = 6.86 (95% CI 1.90, 24.77)] were each significantly associated with thrombosis during follow-up, while history of arterial thrombosis [HR = 2.61 (95% CI 0.87, 7.82)] failed to reach significance. Among aPL assays, IgG aPS/PT--a component of the GAPSS--was significantly associated with thrombosis [HR = 2.95 (95% CI 1.02, 8.51)]. In multivariate analysis, GAPSS above 16 remained the only significant predictor of thrombosis [HR = 6.17 (95% CI 1.70, 22.40)]. CONCLUSION: This first external validation study confirmed that GAPSS can predict thrombosis in patients with aPL and associated autoimmune diseases.

What contextual features affect the outcome and sustainability of therapeutic patient education interventions?

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic patient education interventions are influenced by contextual factors. Therefore, describing the context is crucial to understanding how it can affect therapeutic patient education interventions and contribute to outcomes. We aimed to identify the contextual features that may affect the outcome and sustainability of therapeutic patient education interventions from a healthcare professional perspective. METHODS: Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals involved in 14 therapeutic patient education interventions covering different chronic conditions (e.g., kidney and cardiovascular diseases, chronic pain, diabetes, obesity). Interviews were recorded and fully transcribed. We followed a general inductive approach to identify themes from healthcare professionals' discourse to properly capture their perception. RESULTS: Saturation was achieved with 28 interviews with 20 nurses, 6 dieticians, one physiotherapist and one psychologist. The average therapeutic patient education experience was 7 years. Identified contextual features clustered in 5 main themes: 1) conditions for the development of the intervention (genesis of the program: Who and what prompted it?; supports; content development; legislative framework); 2) integration of the program (in the healthcare pathway or the environment, relationship with the institution or local environment); 3) teamwork cohesion, interaction and integration with the environment (exchanges, cohesion of the team); 4) sustainability of the program; and 5) patient and healthcare professional contextual factors. CONCLUSION: New insights into contextual features that may be involved in therapeutic patient education interventions are represented in a framework based on the Medical Research Council evaluation framework. These features need to be addressed in studies of therapeutic patient education interventions and could help healthcare professionals build more effective interventions within the context. However, describing a list of elements of the context is not enough; analyses should also focus on how the contextual elements might affect an intervention and how they interact.

Who are the patients with early arthritis with worse than death scores on the EQ-5D? Results from the ESPOIR cohort.

OBJECTIVES: The EQ-5D is a five-dimension multi-attribute questionnaire widely used to calculate quality-adjusted life-year scores. We aimed to describe patients with early arthritis (EA) and EQ-5D < 0, a state worse than death, at baseline and over 2 years and determine aspects of EA associated with a negative score. METHODS: EQ-5D scores for 813 patients were longitudinally assessed over 24 months. Characteristics and health status of patients with EQ-5D < 0 were analysed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine aspects of EA associated with a negative score. RESULTS: At baseline, 90 (11%) patients had a negative EQ-5D score (median EQ-5D -0.052; range -0.530 to -0.011). Almost all patients had extreme pain/discomfort and at least moderate problems in anxiety/depression domain. These patients had lower educational level, greater disease activity, higher HAQ score (greater functional disability), greater pain and fatigue, lower Short Form 36 (SF-36) mental component scores and higher CRP levels than patients with EQ-5D ≥ 0 (all P < 0.001). In the logistic regression model, worse HAQ and SF-36 mental component scores were associated with EQ-5D < 0. Results were similar at 6, 12 and 24 months, with 25, 23 and 24 patients, respectively, in a state worse than death. CONCLUSION: Pain or discomfort, often severe, is a key domain of the EQ-5D for patients with EA in a health state worse than death, and poor HAQ and SF-36 mental component scores were always independently associated with a state worse than death. EA patients may have specific needs necessitating better management of pain and psychological state.

GUEPARD treat-to-target strategy is significantly more efficacious than ESPOIR routine care in early rheumatoid arthritis according to patient-reported outcomes and physician global estimate.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse seven RA Core Data Set measures and three indices for their capacity to distinguish treatment results in early RA in the GUEPARD treat-to-target clinical trial vs ESPOIR routine care. METHODS: Post hoc analyses compared 65 GUEPARD and 130 matched control ESPOIR patients over 6 and 12 months for mean changes in measures, relative efficiencies and standardized response means (SRM). Three indices-28-joint disease activity score (DAS28), clinical disease activity index (CDAI) and routine assessment of patient index data (RAPID3)-were compared for mean changes and numbers of patients with high, moderate or low activity or remission using κ values. RESULTS: Greater improvement was seen for GUEPARD vs ESPOIR, statistically significant for physician and patient global estimates and pain and health assessment questionnaire physical function (HAQ-FN), but not joint counts and laboratory tests. Relative efficiencies with tender joint count as the referent measure indicated that pain (2.57) and global estimates by patient (3.13) and physician (2.31) were most efficient in distinguishing GUEPARD from ESPOIR. Mean improvements in GUEPARD vs ESPOIR were -3.4 vs -2.6 for DAS28 (0-10) (24%), -29.8 vs -23.1 for CDAI (0-76) (23%) and -13.0 vs -7.8 for RAPID3 (0-30) (40%) (all P < 0.01); agreement was moderate between CDAI vs DAS28 (κ = 0.56) and vs RAPID3 (κ = 0.48), and fair between DAS28 vs RAPID3 (κ = 0.26). CONCLUSION: Patient and global measures indicate greater efficacy than joint counts or laboratory measures in detecting difference between GUEPARD treat-to-target and ESPOIR routine care. A RAPID3 of only patient measures may help guide treat-to-target in busy clinical settings.

Patient Satisfaction and Perspectives on Self-Management Education Programs: A Qualitative Study.

Purpose: According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, "Self-management education (SME) refers to programs that help people who have ongoing health conditions learn how to live life to the fullest". Most studies to date have focused on SME outcomes, such as the acquisition of predefined knowledge or skills or quality of life. However, no study has yet investigated patients' satisfaction with SMEs. The aim of the present study was therefore to explore participants' subjective appreciation of SME programs using qualitative methods and formulate propositions based on patients' preferences to improve ultimately clinical outcomes. Patients and Methods: Twenty-five participants from five French SME programs to conduct focus groups were recruited. An inductive approach using grounded theory as an overall methodology orientation for the thematic analysis process has been followed. The study was reported in compliance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research criteria (COREQ). Results: Patients expressed great satisfaction concerning the effective delivery of SME sessions. They appreciated the considerations for their concerns and needs, the adaptation of sessions' content to their interests and questions, and learning to take care of themselves. Moreover, patients had a positive opinion on the quality of their relationship with health care providers. However, the major point of improvement of SMEs was the opportunity to repeat the program if needed, as this opportunity was not offered. This consideration was particularly salient when patients did not consider themselves autonomous for disease management at the end of the program, ie, when they had low levels of perceived self-efficacy. Conclusion: While patients expressed great satisfaction regarding SME programs, our results suggest that some changes might be needed to make the endpoint of SME interventions coincide with the patient's perception of self-efficacy in disease self-management and ultimately improve clinical outcomes.

Healthcare providers perception of therapeutic patient education efficacy according to patient and healthcare provider characteristics.

OBJECTIVES: Therapeutic patient education improves numerous health and psychological outcomes in patients with chronic diseases. However, little is known about what makes a therapeutic patient education intervention more effective than another one. This study aims to identify in healthcare professionals the perceived determinants of therapeutic patient education efficacy at the individual level. METHODS: Semi-structured individual interviews have been conducted with healthcare professionals (HCP, n=28, including 20 nurses) involved in therapeutic patient education programs (n=14) covering various chronic conditions (kidney and cardiovascular diseases, chronic pain, diabetes, etc.). A thematic content analysis following an inductive approach was used (Nvivo.11 software). RESULTS: Five themes were retrieved for patient characteristics: understanding and education, personality, readiness and motivation, social environment, and misinformation and beliefs. Four themes were retrieved for healthcare professionals' characteristics: medical knowledge, appropriate attitude and relational skills, pedagogical skills, and training. DISCUSSION: Patient personality is rarely discussed in the literature. Patients who are introverted, lack curiosity, or are not compliant might benefit from specific therapeutic patient education practices or formats. All these potential determinants regarding patients and healthcare professionals should be routinely assessed in future studies about therapeutic patient education efficacy to understand precisely what makes an intervention successful.