Health status and self-management in patients with inflammatory arthritis—A five-year follow-up study after nurse-led patient education

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in patients' self-management and health status five years after nurse-led patient education. Design: A longitudinal study. Methods: We collected self-reported data on physical function, pain, tiredness, disease activity, psychological status, patient activation and self-efficacy from a sample of Norwegian-speaking adults with inflammatory arthritis that had participated in a randomised controlled study investigating the effects of nurse-led patient education. Changes and associations in patients' health status and self-management were analysed with paired sample t tests and multivariable linear regression analyses, respectively. Results: Except from a small deterioration in patients' physical function, there were no changes in patients' health status 5 years after the nurse-led patient education. Patients' self-management skills were improved after 5 years. Self-efficacy was positively associated with female gender, patient activation, less tiredness and less psychological distress.