Evaluation of the impact of a pharmaceutical care service offered to rheumatoid arthritis patients within an ambulatory setting

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the impact of a newly developed pharmaceutical care services directed to rheumatoid arthritis patients attending an out-patient setting. A total of 88 patients participated in the study and were randomly divided into two equal groups, Group A and Group B. The study was carried out over three phases. In phase 1 (time 0), Group A patients were assessed and offered a pharmaceutical care session. Group B patients were assessed but no pharmaceutical care session was delivered. At phase 2 (4-6 months), group A patients were re-assessed (first assessment post pharmaceutical care plan). Group B patients were re-assessed a second time (second baseline assessment) and a pharmaceutical care session was offered to Group B patients. At phase 3 (time 10-11 months) both groups were re-assessed a third time. The Health Assessment Questionnaire and the Short Form-36 were used as outcome measures during each assessment. There were statistically significant differences (p