Impact of a nurse-led programme on comorbidity management and impact of a patient self-assessment of disease activity on the management of rheumatoid arthritis: results of a prospective, multicentre, randomised, controlled trial (COMEDRA)

Objectives Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are at an increased risk of developing comorbid conditions. A close monitoring of the disease targeting a status of low disease activity is associated with a better outcome. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the impact of a nurse-led programme on comorbidities and the impact of patient self-assessment of disease activity on the management of RA. Methods We enrolled 970 patients (mean age 58 years, 79% women) in a prospective, randomised, controlled, open-label, 6-month trial. In the comorbidity group (n= 482), the nurse checked comorbidities and sent the programme results to the attending physicians. In the self-assessment group (n= 488), the nurse taught the patient how to calculate his/her Disease Activity Score which had to be reported on a booklet to be shared with the treating rheumatologist. The number of measures taken for comorbidities and the percentage of patients recording a change (initiation, switch or increased dose) in disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in the 6 months follow-up period of the study defined the outcomes of the trial. Results The number of measures taken per patient was statistically higher in the comorbidity group: 4.54+/-2.08 versus 2.65+/-1.57 (p< 0.001); incidence rate ratio: 1.78 (1.61-1.96) and DMARD therapy was changed more frequently in the self-assessment group: 17.2% versus 10.9% (OR= 1.70 (1.17; 2.49), p= 0.006). Conclusions This study demonstrates the short-term benefit of a nurse-led programme on RA comorbidity management and the impact of patient self-assessment of disease activity on RA treatment intensification.