[The role of health literacy and health knowledge in the management of rheumatoid arthritis].

Rheumatoid arthritis represents a significant and serious global public health burden, and its prevalence is continuously increasing. It is a chronic inflammatory joint disease based on autoimmune and autoinflammatory mechanisms, characterized by variable clinical manifestations and frequent systemic involvement. Due to its progression, comorbidities, and negative impact on quality of life, it poses a significant medical and societal challenge. Therapeutic advances in recent years – including conventional, biological, and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs – have significantly improved patient outcomes, particularly in high-income countries, where early diagnosis is more likely and access to appropriate treatment is more readily available. The development of the disease involves genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, while its course is significantly affected not only by biological but also psychosocial factors. This review provides a brief overview of the risk factors and psychosocial effects of rheumatoid arthritis, along with the impact of health literacy and disease knowledge on treatment effectiveness and quality of life. Low socioeconomic status, poor health literacy, along with limited health knowledge are associated with worse clinical outcomes. To improve patients’ quality of life, it is essential to continuously and systematically enhance their health literacy and disease knowledge, ensure the provision of psychosocial support, and incorporate a patient-centered approach into rheumatoid arthritis treatment strategies. Orv Hetil. 2025; 166(35): 1374–1381.