Effectiveness of a Web‐Based Personalized Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk Tool With or Without a Health Educator for Knowledge of Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk Factors

Objective To assess knowledge of rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) risk factors among unaffected first‐degree relatives ( FDR s) and to study whether a personalized RA education tool increases risk factor knowledge. Methods We performed a randomized controlled trial assessing RA educational interventions among 238 FDR s. The web‐based Personalized Risk Estimator for RA ( PRE ‐ RA ) tool displayed personalized RA risk results (genetics, autoantibodies, demographics, and behaviors) and educated about risk factors. Subjects were randomly assigned to a Comparison arm (standard RA education; n = 80), a PRE ‐ RA arm ( PRE ‐ RA alone; n = 78), or a PRE ‐ RA Plus arm ( PRE ‐ RA and a one‐on‐one session with a trained health educator; n = 80). The RA Knowledge Score ( RAKS ), the number of 8 established RA risk factors identified as related to RA , was calculated at baseline and post‐education (immediate/6 weeks/6 months/12 months). We compared RAKS and its components at each post‐education point by randomization arm. Results At baseline before education, few FDR s identified behavioral RA risk factors (15.6% for dental health, 31.9% for smoking, 47.5% for overweight/obesity, and 54.2% for diet). After education, RAKS increased in all arms, higher in PRE ‐ RA and PRE ‐ RA Plus than Comparison at all post‐education points ( P < 0.05). PRE ‐ RA subjects were more likely to identify risk factors than those who received standard education (proportion agreeing that smoking is a risk factor at 6 weeks: 83.1% in the PRE ‐ RA Plus arm, 71.8% in the PRE ‐ RA arm, and 43.1% in the Comparison arm; P < 0.05 for PRE ‐ RA versus Comparison). Conclusion Despite being both familiar with RA and at increased risk, FDR s had low knowledge about RA risk factors. A web‐based personalized RA education tool successfully increased RA risk factor knowledge.