Patient Education and Rheumatoid Arthritis (PE and RA)

University Hassan II Casablanca (UH2C)

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Treatments: Other: Usual Care; Other: patient education

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07170371

D/2025/HASSANII/54

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a culturally adapted patient education program can help people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) manage their disease and improve their quality of life. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does the program improve patients' knowledge, self-management skills, and confidence in dealing with RA?
• Does it lead to better quality of life and treatment adherence compared to usual care?

Participants will:

• Join group sessions and individual activities focused on RA education, self-care, and stress management
• Take part in the program for 6 months, with regular follow-up visits
• Complete questionnaires about symptoms, daily activities, and quality of life

Enrollment: 88 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults (≥18 years) diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis according to ACR/EULAR 2010 classification criteria
• Stable pharmacological treatment for at least 3 months prior to enrollment
• Ability to participate in group sessions and complete questionnaires
• Provided written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of other systemic autoimmune or inflammatory rheumatic diseases (e.g., lupus, psoriatic arthritis)
• Severe comorbidities that may interfere with participation (e.g., advanced heart failure, uncontrolled psychiatric illness)
• Cognitive impairment or language barrier preventing comprehension of the program
• Participation in another structured patient education program within the last 6 months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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88 participants in 2 patient groups

Patient education Group

Experimental group

Description:

A culturally adapted patient education program designed for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. The program was developed through a structured needs assessment and based on established health behavior theories. It includes five core modules delivered over six months: understanding rheumatoid arthritis, monitoring disease activity, treatment strategies, nutrition, and stress management. Sessions combine group workshops and individual support, with interactive materials and practical exercises. The program aims to strengthen patients' knowledge, self-management skills, and quality of life compared to usual care.

Treatment:

Other: patient education

Usual care Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

patients will receive usual care only

Treatment:

Other: Usual Care