Abstract
BackgroundTo identify incorrect beliefs and common knowledge about rheumatic diseases in the general population.MethodsParticipants were selected during the follow-up of a representative cohort of adult population of Porto, Portugal; 1626 participants completed a questionnaire that included general knowledge items about rheumatic diseases.Discrete and continuous latent variable models were used to identify knowledge flaws and the target groups. Odds ratios (OR) estimated by multinomial logistic regression, and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were computed to evaluate magnitude of associations.ResultsA continuous latent variable model identified two dimensions: one related to general beliefs (latent 1) and another concerning characteristics, treatment and impact of rheumatic diseases (latent 2). A 3-class latent variable model refined these results: the first class presented the lowest probabilities of correct answer for items associated with the first latent (mean of 39%), and the second class presented the lowest probabilities of correct answer for items with the second latent (mean of 62%). The third class showed the highest probability of a correct answer for almost all the items (mean of 79%). The age and sex standardized prevalence of the classes was 25.7%, 30.8% and 43.5%.Taking class 2 as reference, class 1 was positively associated with the presence of rheumatic diseases (OR = 2.79; CI95% = (2.10-3.70)), with females (OR = 1.28 CI95% = (0.99-1.67)) and older individuals (OR = 1.04; CI95% = (1.03-1.05)), and was negatively associated with education (OR = 0.84; CI95% = (0.81-0.86)); class 3 was positively associated with education (OR = 1.03; CI95% = (1.00-1.05)) and the presence of rheumatic diseases (OR = 1.29; CI95% = (0.97-1.70)).ConclusionsThere are several knowledge flaws about rheumatic diseases in the general public. One out of four participants considered false general beliefs as true and approximately 30% did not have detailed knowledge on rheumatic disease. Higher education and the presence of disease contributed positively to the overall knowledge. These results suggest some degree of effectiveness of patient education, either conducted by health professionals or self-driven.
Highlights
To identify incorrect beliefs and common knowledge about rheumatic diseases in the general population
Latent Trait Model As no prior information on the number of latent variables to be held was available, a one-factor latent trait models (LTM) was fit to the 17 items
The first class presented the lowest probabilities of correct answer for items associated with the first latent, and the second class presented the lowest probabilities of correct answer for items with the second latent
Summary
To identify incorrect beliefs and common knowledge about rheumatic diseases in the general population. Musculoskeletal diseases are among the most prevalent chronic conditions and constitute a major public health challenge for our aging societies [1]. Providing the general population and patients with good quality information is an important strategy in the management of chronic diseases. Knowledge leads to changes in Patient participation in health care has been increasingly advocated: patients should be well informed about diagnosis and prognosis, and involved as fully as possible in disease management, namely in therapeutic decisions. A partnership should be formed between patients and health professionals, especially regarding chronic or life threatening diseases [4]. Involvement in medical decisions has been positively associated with patient satisfaction with health care [2,5] and improved health outcomes [6]. Patient education has a positive effect in adherence to treatment, functional disability, global assessment, psychological well-being and depression [7,8]
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