Change in knowledge and self-efficacy of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A six-month follow-up study

The purpose of this study was to examine rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients' knowledge of the disease and its treatments and their self-efficacy changed in a 6-month period. The data were collected from 223 RA patients during August 2004–March 2005 using self-administered questionnaires. The main finding was that the patients' knowledge of exercise, joint protection and energy conservation increased and their self-efficacy strengthened over the 6-month period. However, the RA patients' general knowledge of the disease (e.g. of its aetiology) decreased significantly. Weak relationships exist between the patients' self-efficacy and their knowledge of exercise, joint protection and energy conservation. The patients who had follow-up visits during the 6-month period had slightly better knowledge levels, but their pain and other symptoms self-efficacy was weaker. It is important that nurses encourage patients to seek clarification of any unclear issues concerning their disease, and concentrate on supporting those patients whose self-efficacy is weak.     

Sex-based electroclinical differences and prognostic factors in epilepsy with eyelid myoclonia

Although a striking female preponderance has been consistently reported in epilepsy with eyelid myoclonia (EEM), no study has specifically explored the variability of clinical presentation according to sex in this syndrome. Here, we aimed to investigate sex-specific electroclinical differences and prognostic determinants in EEM. Data from 267 EEM patients were retrospectively analyzed by the EEM Study Group, and a dedicated multivariable logistic regression analysis was developed separately for each sex. We found that females with EEM showed a significantly higher rate of persistence of photosensitivity and eye closure sensitivity at the last visit, along with a higher prevalence of migraine with/without aura, whereas males with EEM presented a higher rate of borderline intellectual functioning/intellectual disability. In female patients, multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed age at epilepsy onset, eyelid myoclonia status epilepticus, psychiatric comorbidities, and catamenial seizures as significant predictors of drug resistance. In male patients, a history of febrile seizures was the only predictor of drug resistance. Hence, our study reveals sex-specific differences in terms of both electroclinical features and prognostic factors. Our findings support the importance of a sex-based personalized approach in epilepsy care and research, especially in genetic generalized epilepsies.