Estimation of Patient Knowledge and Medication Preference on Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disorders in the United Arab Emirates: A Single-Center Study at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders (RMDs) are chronic diseases that often require lifelong management to achieve quiescence. In view of this, the patient’s education regarding their treatment decisions plays a large role in ensuring therapeutic effectiveness. Although this has been studied in European and American literature, there remains a paucity of patient education in RMD in the middle eastern region. This study aims to learn the RMD knowledge and drug preferences of the patients of a rheumatology outpatient department at a large tertiary center in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: Between May 2018 and July 2022, a questionnaire was distributed to 455 patients at the rheumatology outpatient department to gather information about RMD understanding and drug preferences. Results: The questionnaire was filled out by 455 patients. At the outset, the majority of patients (76.6%) were females of Emirati nationality (78.5%) with a mean age of 43 years. The most common disease (37.3%) was rheumatoid arthritis. The most commonly used medications (61.7%) were conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. More than half of the respondents (60%) believed that RMDs could be cured and that they could interfere with pregnancy. Nearly half of those polled (49.9%) thought RMD treatment was indefinite. The majority of patients (74.9%) preferred the oral route over others, with monthly dosing (42.9%) being the preferred frequency. Conclusion: For the first time, this study demonstrates the level of RMD knowledge and medication preferences in the UAE. It should serve as a springboard for further research into how education can improve patient outcomes.