Preferences of Japanese rheumatoid arthritis patients in treatment decision-making

We investigated the decision-making preferences of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients using two different scales: the Decision Making Preference Scale (DMPS) and the modified Control Preference Scale (CPS). In addition, we evaluated the factors associated with patients' preferences for decision-making.

A cross-sectional study was performed using a self-administered anonymous questionnaire between October and December 2010 on 406 RA outpatients who consecutively visited 3 hospitals in Japan. The following variables were investigated: (1) DMPS, which is a subscale of the Autonomy Preference Index, composed of six items; patients responded on a 5-point Likert scale. (2) The modified CPS, in which patients were asked to choose one actual and one desired role in decision-making from among three options (passive role, collaborative role, and active role). (3) Sociodemographic data and RA-specific characteristics. Multivariate analyses were used to assess the relationship between patients' preferences and selected variables.

The response rate was 58.6 %. There were few patients who wished to make their own decisions when they were hospitalized or illness became worse. However, the majority of patients desired to collaborate with the doctor in making treatment decisions according to the results of modified CPS. The results of modified CPS were significantly associated with the total scores of DMPS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated they younger age and not-housewife were associated with high scores of DMPS.

Patient preferences in decision-making vary at RA outpatient clinic. Physicians need to assess decision-making preferences on an individual basis.