Evaluation of a self-management patient education programme for fibromyalgia-results of a cluster-RCT in inpatient rehabilitation

The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-management patient education programme for fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) as compared with usual care education in inpatient rehabilitation. In a multicentre cluster-randomized controlled trial, 583 inpatients in 3 rehabilitation centres received an advanced self-management patient education programme or usual care education. Patients completed questionnaires at admission, discharge and after 6 and 12 months. Primary outcomes were disease- and treatment-specific knowledge at discharge, and self-management-competencies after 6 months. Secondary outcomes included satisfaction, attitudes, coping competencies, psychological distress and health impairment. We found a medium-sized effect on disease- and treatment-specific knowledge at discharge (P < 0.05, Cohen's d = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.27-0.63), and small effects for subjective knowledge, pain-related control, self-monitoring and insight, communication about disease, action planning for physical activity and treatment satisfaction (all P < 0.05). Only the effect on knowledge persisted for 6 and 12 months. This advanced education programme seemed to be more effective in the short term than usual education. However, intermediate- and long-term effects did not emerge. While superior long-term effects on knowledge as well as short-term effects on self-management skills may suggest implementation, additional long-term effects on other patient-relevant outcomes would be desirable. Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00008782, Registered 8 July 2015.

[Sjögren's syndrome. Current aspects from a rheumatological point of view]

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease of the exocrine glands characterized by the leading symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis and stomatitis sicca based on a complex pathogenesis. The prevalence is about 0.5-1%; primary Sjögren's syndrome is differentiated from secondary Sjögren's syndrome associated with other autoimmune disorders. The diagnosis is established by the presence of subjective complaints and objective evidence of sicca symptoms, anti-Ro(SSA)/La(SSB) antibodies, and/or focal lymphocytic infiltration of the glandular tissue. In addition to the typical sicca symptomatology, which is managed symptomatically by substitution and stimulation therapy, some patients exhibit extraglandular manifestations. Complaints involving the musculoskeletal system and inner ear dominate and are treated by the rheumatologist. The indication for base therapy is tailored to individual needs, but the efficacy of this approach has not been established in studies. About 5-10% of the patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome develop a B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The disease requires interdisciplinary management including, among others, ophthalmologists, dentists, and otorhinolaryngologists, depending on the clinical picture.