LAUSR

Background Evidence shows that patients with a higher knowledge regarding their health, experience better health and have better outcomes, this leads to lower costs for the National Health Service. The Blood Pressure Association UK encourages the public to know their biomedical data. Similarly, there is a desire for patients with chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to know their biomedical data (blood pressure, lipid profile, DAS 28 score, BMI, blood sugar etc). It is well documented that patients with RA are at a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Objectives The aims of this study were to ascertain the existing knowledge that patients have on their biomedical data, understand the barriers of knowing these health indicators and enquire how their knowledge can be improved. Methods 50 consecutive patients with RA seen in a nurse-led clinic were asked to complete an anonymised questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 10 questions which assessed demographics, the patients’ knowledge of their current biomedical data and the importance of knowing this information. It also enquired if patients knew what the term ‘know your numbers’ meant, reasons for not knowing and what could be done to increase their knowledge in knowing their numbers. Results 80% (n=40) questionnaires were returned. The estimated mean age (mean ±SD, years) was 58.1±13.4. A majority of the respondents were female (87.5%). The highest category of disease duration for the cohort was between 2–5 years with 40% (n=16) patients. 30% (n=12) of the respondents were aware of the ‘know your numbers’ concept. 27.5% (n=11) knew their cholesterol while 80% did not know their last blood sugar. The majority 90% (n=36) did not know their BMI. Only 25% of the respondents knew their DAS score. 50% knew the significance of the numbers. 40% (n=16) reported that no one had informed them about the numbers. 95% (n=38) of the participants showed interest in knowing their numbers and 27.5% (n=11) suggested that a written record explained and regularly updated would be appropriate whilst 35% (n=14) proposed that a multidisciplinary input would be useful in regularly informing them of the numbers. Conclusions Although cardiovascular disease risk assessment and the management has improved in RA. There still remains a gap in patient engagement and activation in taking responsibility in knowing the risks and what they mean. It is well documented that patients with increased level of activation are more likely to engage in positive health behaviours resulting better outcomes. Our study has shown that although patients do not know much about their biomedical data they are interested in knowing about them. Knowing their biomedical may encourage them to take more ownership of their health even leading to more self-managing their RA. Disclosure of Interest None declared