Questionnaire survey results for patients with rheumatoid arthritis using methotrexate medication management notebook

Abstract

［Background］The “MTX notebook” was planned and designed as a useful tool for improving methotrexate（MTX）medication adherence of rheumatoid arthritis patients. It contained explanations for intermittent administration method of MTX, side effects, and drug withdrawal after occurring adverse events. ［Objective］To confirm whether “MTX notebook” functions as a tool to improve adherence of MTX. ［Method］From February to June 2019, Katayama Orthopedic Rheumatology Clinic and Sagawa Akira Rheumatology Clinic distributed the “MTX notebook” to patients taking MTX, then conducted a descriptive questionnaire survey. ［Results］Total number of questionnaires collected was 1036. Among them, 66.2% of patients replied “knowledge of side effects increased” / “slightly increased”, 42.4% replied “anxiety about side effects decreased” / “slightly decreased”, 50.3% replied “knowledge about drug withdrawal increased” / “slightly increased”, 70.4% replied “I did not forget to take MTX”/ “It was rare to forget to take MTX”, and 23% replied “it was easier to talk with doctors, pharmacists and nurses”/ “a little easier to talk with them”. Patients who replied “I want to keep using the MTX notebook” / “it is easy to use” was 43%. Patients’ education status with who had been taking MTX for less than one year was improved from 1.1 to 1.9 times that of all patients with taking MTX. ［Conclusion］The “MTX notebook” is a useful tool for improving educational status and compliance of RA patients taking MTX. In future, we would like to consider whether this result will reduce the severity of side effects of MTX.