Evaluation of Rheumatoid Arthritis Knowledge among a Cohort of 1004 Healthy Egyptians

Abstract Background: Lack of awareness and misconceptions regarding rheumatoid arthritis (RA) slow down diagnosis and impact treatment outcomes. Aim of Study: Assessment of knowledge regarding RA among healthy individuals and exploring misconceptions about the disease. Patients and Methods: A20 questions survey was purposely developed and posted on social media portals. Questions were divided into 5 categories to assess knowledge about RA's disease beliefs, causes/risk factors, consequences, management and the medical specialty that should deal with RA patients. Results: A total of 1004 individuals with a mean age of 34.5±9.3 years responded to the survey. RA was identified as a multi-system disease that causes joints swellings (62.6%, and 90% respectively) and a disease of the elderly by 16.6% of respondents. Females were perceived at a higher risk of RA (73.8%). Stress was identified as a risk factor by 50.5% of respondents, while smoking was identified only by 21.7% of respondents. Deformities and difficult mobility were iden-tified as RA consequences (75.3% and 81.9%, respectively). Diagnosis and treatment of RA were believed to be responsi-bility of rheumatologists (72.7% and 83.1%, respectively). Medical graduate respondents had higher level of awareness than public; however, they still had limited awareness of RA causes/risk factors. Conclusion: Participants had variable level of awareness regarding RA. More knowledge is still needed particularly concerning the role of risk factors and the availability of efficient treatment options that alter natural disease course. Medical non-rheumatologist practitioners had better awareness in general, yet, they also have deficient knowledge concerning risk factors.