We describe the usage of various assistive devices and identify factors associated with usage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A cross-sectional, multicentre study was performed in three outpatient rheumatology clinics in the Netherlands. Two hundred forty patients with RA participated in the study. The main measures were questionnaires and a semi-structured interview regarding the possession and usage of 21 common assistive devices in the ISO9999 categories orthopaedic footwear, personal care, mobility, household and adaptations for housing. Potential factors associated with usage included sociodemographic variables, health status, quality of life, coping strategies, selfefficacy, outcome expectations and satisfaction. Out of 240 patients, 213 (89%) had one or more assistive devices in possession (median number of devices 3.0, interquartile range 3.0). The proportions of patients never using a device in possession varied between 8% for orthopaedic insoles and 23% for grab bars. The main factors related to usage varied among categories, but common determinants were a specific impairment or disability, satisfaction with the device or related services, self-efficacy and the number of devices in possession. In conclusion, in patients with RA, possession rates are high, with 23% or less of the devices in possession being abandoned. Overall, satisfaction rates were high. Factors associated with usage varied among categories and comprised, apart from the number of devices in possession and variables related to health status, also aspects of satisfaction with the device or related services or self-efficacy. The latter findings underline the need for a systematic evaluation of the outcomes of assistive devices by prescribing health professionals or suppliers in every individual case.

The proportion of RA patients meeting the Dutch PA recommendation was similar to the general Dutch population. However, with respect to the average number of minutes of PA per week, the RA patients were less physically active. Because patients with RA have an increased risk of chronic conditions such as osteoporosis or cardiovascular diseases along with their arthritis, it remains a matter of utmost importance for health care professionals such as rheumatologists, physical therapists, and clinical nurse specialists to promote PA in daily clinical practice and guide patients in achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

About half of patients with RA possessed functional wrist orthoses, with 58% of them actually being used. Apart from local complaints and general functional ability, satisfaction with comfort of the functional wrist orthoses appears to be an important factor for their usage. These results point at the need for additional research regarding modifiable factors associated with compliance, such as comfort and ease of use.

The majority of people with rheumatoid arthritis participated in some physical activity or exercise, mostly under supervision. Preferences for types of activity varied, underpinning the need for a variety of options for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Studies on the effectiveness of information provision for patients with arthritis through the Internet are scarce. This study aimed to describe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients’ knowledge and information needs before and after launching a website providing information on regional health care services for patients with rheumatic conditions. The intervention consisted of a weekly updated website comprising practical information on regional health care services for patients with arthritis. In addition, patients were offered information leaflets and an information meeting. Before (T1) and 24 months after (T2) the website was launched, a random sample of 400 RA patients filled in a questionnaire regarding knowledge and information need (scores 0–18) about accessibility and contents of 18 regional health care services. Two hundred and fifty-one patients returned the questionnaire (response rate 63%) at T1 and 200 patients (50%) at T2, respectively, with 160 paired observations (112 females (70%), mean age 60.4 years (SD 9.9)). The total score for insufficient knowledge about contents decreased from 9.3 (SD 4.9) to 8.5 (SD 4.8; p = 0.03) and for accessibility from 8.6 (SD 4.7) to 8.4 (SD 4.9; p = 0.59). Total score for information need about contents decreased from 4.2 (SD 4.5) to 1.9 (SD 2.9; p < 0.01) and for accessibility from 3.6 (SD 4.5) to 1.4 (SD 2.4; p < 0.01) (paired t-tests).After the administration of a website comprising practical health care information, RA patients’ information need and to a lesser extent their perception of having insufficient knowledge on relevant regional health care services decreased significantly. The results of this descriptive study suggest that the use of the Internet to inform patients may be effective, although controlled studies are required to evaluate and optimize web-delivered information.