Long-term effects of therapeutic education for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess the effects of an educational program on the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after 3 years.

Methods: From December 2002 to December 2003, 39 RA patients participated in a 3-day education program delivered to groups of four or five patients. Effects of the program were evaluated after 3 years in 33 patients, comparatively to baseline, based on the following variables: knowledge of RA (self-questionnaire), disease activity (DAS 28), functional impairment (health assessment questionnaire [HAQ]) and quality of life (arthritis impact measurement scale 2 [AIMS2], short-form).