Effect of family caregiver nursing education on patients with rheumatoid arthritis and its impact factors: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease. Nursing education for family caregivers is considered a workable and effective intervention, but the validity of this intervention in RA has not been reported. AIM: To explore whether family caregiver nursing education (FCNE) works on patients with RA and the factors that influence FCNE. METHODS: In this randomized controlled study, a sample of 158 pairs was included in the study with 80 in the intervention group and 78 in the control group. Baseline data of patients and caregivers was collected. The FCNE intervention was administered to caregivers, and inflammation level indicators, disease activity indicators and mood disorder indicators of patients were followed up and analyzed. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the intervention and the control groups had no significant difference. Indicators were significantly reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group. The intervention group showed significant differences in stratification of relationship, education duration and age. CONCLUSION: The effect of FCNE on RA is multifaceted, weakening inflammation level, alleviating disease activity and relieving mood disorder. Relationship between caregiver and patient, caregiver’s education level and patient’s age may act as impact factors of FCNE.