Pilot study of a multidisciplinary gout patient education and monitoring program.

OBJECTIVE: Gout patient self-management knowledge and adherence to treatment regimens are poor. Our objective was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a multidisciplinary team-based pilot program for the education and monitoring of gout patients. METHODS: Subjects completed a gout self-management knowledge exam, along with gout flare history and compliance questionnaires, at enrollment and at 6 and 12 months. Each exam was followed by a nursing educational intervention via a structured gout curriculum. Structured monthly follow-up calls from pharmacists emphasized adherence to management programs. Primary outcomes were subject and provider program evaluation questionnaires at 6 and 12 months, program retention rate and success in reaching patients via monthly calls. RESULTS: Overall, 40/45 subjects remained in the study at 12 months. At 12 months, on a scale of 1 (most) to 5 (least), ratings of 3 or better were given by 84.6% of subjects evaluating the usefulness of the overall program in understanding and managing their gout, 81.0% of subjects evaluating the helpfulness of the nursing education program, and 50.0% of subjects evaluating the helpfulness of the calls from the pharmacists. Knowledge exam questions that were most frequently answered incorrectly on repeat testing concerned bridge therapy, the possibility of being flare-free, and the genetic component of gout. CONCLUSIONS: Our multidisciplinary program of gout patient education and monitoring demonstrates feasibility and acceptability. We identified variability in patient preference for components of the program and persistent patient knowledge gaps.

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Counseling Program for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention counseling program for lupus patients decreases the prevalence of CVD risk factors. METHODS: The assessment phase of a 3-year CVD prevention counseling program included the evaluation of CVD risk factors, diet, exercise habits, and medications. The education phase included discussion of the above risk factors, as well as CVD and thrombosis prevention strategies. Patients were prospectively followed every 3-6 months for risk assessment and continued education by a nurse practitioner and a medical doctor. RESULTS: Between March 2009 and December 2014, 121 patients were included. At baseline, abnormal blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol profile, and body mass index were found in 50 (41%), 7 (6%), 82 (68%), and 77 (64%) patients, respectively. During the 3-year followup, among those with abnormal baseline values, prevalence of abnormal blood pressure significantly decreased (odds ratio [OR] 0.94, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.92-0.96, P < 0.0001) with significant mean ± SD systolic blood pressure improvement (-6.12 ± 2.16 mm Hg; P < 0.05). The prevalence of abnormal cholesterol profile significantly decreased (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.92-0.96) with significant improvements in mean ± SD high-density lipoprotein (+5.4 ± 0.36 mg/dl; P < 0.0001) and triglyceride levels (-12.6 ± 5.40 mg/dl; P < 0.05), and no significant change in blood glucose and body mass index was observed. At baseline, 100 (83%) and 95 (79%) patients had poor diet and physical activity, respectively; during the followup, both significantly improved in the entire population. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that a CVD prevention counseling program decreases the prevalence of some CVD risk factors in lupus patients.

The management of lupus nephritis.

Lupus nephritis is one of the most devastating complications of systemic lupus erythematosus. New treatment approaches and recommendations aim to decrease mortality and improve quality of life and outcomes. The role of the primary care provider is essential to help manage complications of treatment and avoid organ damage.