Disease-specific knowledge in individuals with and without chronic conditions

Abstract

Knowledge about chronic conditions may be a basis to enable coping with them more effectively. However, more research is needed to examine whether knowledge levels in chronically ill individuals are superior to levels of those without chronic conditions. Our aim was to investigate differences in disease-specific knowledge in individuals with and without specific chronic conditions. A stratified and population-based sample of 4,144 individuals from Germany aged 35 and older with and without chronic conditions formed the basis of the investigation. Knowledge was measured using a validated health knowledge test with six subscales on specific conditions, namely cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory diseases, conditions of the musculoskeletal system, major depression, and chronic pain. We found better knowledge in those suffering from respiratory diseases and musculoskeletal system conditions, no difference in those with cardiovascular diseases and depression, and lower values of disease-specific knowledge in individuals with chronic pain compared to those without the respective chronic condition. Results were adjusted for gender, age, education, health literacy, and other conditions. People suffering from chronic conditions do not necessarily know more about their conditions. Better knowledge in individuals with respiratory diseases and diseases of the musculoskeletal system may be due to tailored health education. The unexpected effect in chronic pain patients may be related to false beliefs about the nature of their condition. Health education programs should address disease-specific barriers.