OBJECTIVES: The Patient Activation Measure (PAM) is a 13-item scale that assesses patient knowledge, skills, and confidence for self-management. This measure is important for the education and empowerment of patients with their disease. The objective of the study is to determine the level of activation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS: We performed a quantitative, observational, cross-sectional, and questionnaire-based study; participants were recruited in a specialized RA center. We applied the PAM-13 scale validated in Spanish. The scale has a score from 1 to 4 divided in four levels, where level 1 represents a disengaged patient and suggests that the doctor is in charge of their health; level 2: the patient becomes aware but struggling; level 3: The patient is taking action and considers himself as apart of the healthcare team, and level 4 represents a patient that maintains behaviors and pushes forward.

RESULTS: 322 patients participated, 23 patients generated incomplete PAM-13 scores (response rate 92%) and were excluded from study; 93% of patients were women. Mean age was 60 years ±10; mean PAM-13 was 19.83 ±6.16. In our study 68% of patients were in level 2 according to PAM-13 scale which means that they are becoming aware of their knowledge, skills and self-management but are still struggling. In average, 87% of patients answered each question to be in level 1 or 2 that means many patients do not have the knowledge and skills to better cope with the disease; only a 12% was in level 3 and 4.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study in our country where the PAM-13 is applied in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, it might be useful to implement patient activation monitoring, since the level of activation is low in patients with RA could be cost-effective to empower patients to obtain better results.