Effectiveness of Structured Self-Care Model on Self-Care, Disability and Pain among Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract Background: Rheumatoid arthritis causes progressive deterioration, with subsequent functional decline leading to disability Aim: To investigate the effect of structured self-care model on of self-care, disability and pain among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Design: quasi experimental study design was used. A convenience sample of 60 adult patients, drawn from all the patients in outpatient clinic at Mansoura University Hospital from January 2019 to October 2019. Tool: An interview questionnaire include: Socio-demographic and medical data, Exercise for Self Care Agency ,World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule and Pain Disability Index (PDI). Results: Shows the patient get higher scores regarding level of exercise for Self Care Agency in follow up after 2 month (mean 119.9) and after 4month (mean 165.7) than pre-test (mean 104.9), as higher scores indicate higher level of self-care ,with highly statistically significant difference (p.v 0.01). There was a highly statistically significant difference (p.v 0.001**) regarding the mean score of the total disability assessment pre, after two and after four months among participant as the mean after four months (98.8±6.71) was increased compared with the mean pretest (160.48±3.7). Results shows the main items of pain disability index, pre, post two months and four months there a statistical significant regarding family and home responsibilities, recreation, social activity, life-support activity, occupation and total score. No statistical significant regarding sexual behavior .Conclusion & Recommendations. A structured self-care model help in improvement of self-care, disability and pain level among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Self-management programs result in beneficial effect on disability and pain scores.