Effect of a Self-Management Intervention for Patients Newly Diagnosed With Inflammatory Arthritis: The NISMA Trial

Background: In patients newly diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis, a self-management intervention is anticipated to enhance self-management skills, thereby improving patient function, well-being, and survival. The primary objective of the trial is to investigate the short-term efficacy of the NISMA intervention and usual care, compared to usual care alone (control group), on self-management skills and techniques in patients newly diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis. Method: This study aims to test the efficacy of the "Newly diagnosed with Inflammatory arthritis - a Self-MAnagement intervention" (NISMA) through a multicenter pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT). The trial will involve 130 patients newly diagnosed with IA from three Danish hospitals. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the NISMA intervention group or a control group receiving usual care. The NISMA intervention includes three mandatory individual sessions with a nurse, supplemented by two optional group sessions over 12 months. Primary outcomes will be measured using the Health Education Impact Questionnaire (heiQ), focusing on the "skill and technique acquisition" domain. Secondary outcomes include other heiQ domains, quality of life, loneliness, physical function, pain intensity, pain, self-efficacy, anxiety and depression, fatigue, patient global assessment, disease activity, and medication adherence. Data will be collected at baseline, 12 months, and 18 months post-baseline. Discussion: This RCT will provide essential insights into the effectiveness of a targeted self-management intervention for patients newly diagnosed with IA. The NISMA intervention, developed following the Medical Research Council Framework for complex interventions, aims to improve self-management skills and overall QoL. By addressing the unique challenges faced by newly diagnosed patients, this study seeks to enhance the initial management of IA, aligning with the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations for self-management support. If successful, the NISMA intervention could represent a significant advancement in the non-pharmacological management of IA, offering a comprehensive, patient-centered approach that addresses both physical and psychological needs.