Coleiro Bernard

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