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  • Title: Changes in self-efficacy and health status over 5 years: a longitudinal observational study of 306 patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
    Author: Brekke M, Hjortdahl P, Kvien TK.
    Journal: Arthritis Rheum; 2003 Jun 15; 49(3):342-8. PubMed ID: 12794789.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes in self-efficacy and health status over 5 years in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the relationships between these changes, and the influence of baseline values on subsequent changes. METHODS: 306 adult patients with RA, born in 1926 or later, were examined by questionnaire in 1994 and again in 1999. We analyzed data regarding pain (visual analogue scale [VAS], Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale [AIMS2] symptom scale, Short Form-36 [SF-36] pain scale), fatigue (VAS, SF-36 vitality scale), mental distress (AIMS2 affect scale, SF-36 mental health scale) and self-efficacy (Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scales for pain and for other symptoms). RESULTS: On group level, all health status measures were numerically somewhat improved, and self-efficacy slightly reduced. Changes in self-efficacy and in corresponding health status measures were significantly correlated. For patients with above average educational level self-efficacy for pain at baseline was positively correlated to improvement in pain measures. Good mental health at baseline was correlated to improvement in self-efficacy for other symptoms, but only for patients with below average educational level. CONCLUSION: Baseline self-efficacy seems to influence future level of perceived pain and baseline mental health status seems to influence future self-efficacy. These associations seem to be affected by level of education.
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