I n order to assess the value of using the methotrexate information booklet, we conducted a single blind prospective controlled trial of the patients attending two rheumatology services.
The active-arm (n=40) used the MTX information booklet for the patients' education and the control-arm (n=38) did not. Patients' interviews were conducted over a 6-month period using an MTX-questionnaire.
The entire active-arm patients (100%) were taking folic-acid and 32 (80%) knew the reason why they were taking folic-acid vs. [30 (79%) and 10 (26%) in the control-arm]. In the active-arm 35 (88%) knew the reason for their monthly blood tests vs. 18 (47%) in the control-arm. The entire active-arm was aware of the need for contraception use and MTX-side effects vs. 23 (60%) and 15 (40%) in the control-arm respectively.
The use of the MTX information booklet in our cohort improved their understanding of the treatment.