Educational needs in patients with knee osteoarthritis using the SpENAT questionnaire

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a major public health issue because it causes pain and functional limitation in patients. Engagement with self-management may, however, minimize the impact of KOA on the health of patients suffering this illness. To be fully engaged with self-management activities, knowledge about KOA is a prerequisite. There is data on people's understanding of KOA and their needs for information about KOA. The Educational Needs Assessment Tool-Spanish version (SpENAT) is a self-reported questionnaire that assesses educational needs (Ned) in order to provide information adapted and focused on patients with knee KOA. It comprises 39 questions grouped into seven domains: Pain, Movement, Feelings, Osteoarthritis, Medical treatment, Non-medical treatment, Help. To estimate the Ned in patients with knee KOA using the SpENAT. An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was carried out in 215 patients with a diagnosis of knee KOA according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology who attended the service's protocolized consultation of knee conditions of rheumatology at the "Hermanos Ameijeiras" Surgical Clinical Hospital during the study period between January 2017 and August 2020. Demographic data, educational level and characteristics of the disease were recorded. All patients completed the SpENAT and were questioned about the sources they turn to obtain information on their disease. Women over 50 years of age and overweight with a diagnosis of OA predominated. Major Ned were observed in the domains of movement, help, pain, feeling, KOA. Patients over 50 years of age, female, normal weight, and active workers showed greater interest in the movement domain. The most used source of information was the rheumatologist (91.60%). The Ned in patients with knee KOA are high, and are higher in the domains of movement, pain, help and feeling. The rheumatologist is the main source of information for patients with KOA, it seems wise to design a targeted strategy to educate people about KOA to provide, support and prepare them for self-management.