Background/Purpose: Sjögren’s disease is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting multiple organ systems beyond the eyes and mouth. Diagnosis is challenging and therapy is often initiated late. The need for a patient-centered individualized management approach is often underappreciated. Our goal was to assess whether online accredited education could improve rheumatologists’ understanding of the heterogeneous clinical presentation of Sjögren’s disease, the diagnostic approach and the role of B cells in the pathogenesis of Sjögren’s disease, and enhance their confidence in implementing a tailored, patient-centric management approach.

Methods: This online educational activity titled ‘Challenges and Opportunities in the Management of Sjögren’s Disease’ was a 30-minute roundtable discussion with 3 panelists and a patient, accompanied by slides and video. Responses to 3 multiple-choice knowledge questions and 1 self-efficacy, 5-point Likert scale confidence question were analyzed. Educational effect was assessed using a repeated-pair design, pre-/post-assessment. A paired samples t-test was conducted for significance testing on overall average number of correct responses and for confidence rating. A series of McNemar’s tests were conducted at the question level (5% significance level, P < .05). Cohen’s d with correction for paired samples estimated the effect size of the education on number of correct responses (< .20 modest, .20-.49 small, .59-.79 moderate, ≥.80 large). The activity was launched on 13 August 2024 with data collection through 3 October 2024.

Results: Of 1205 rheumatologists who viewed the education within this time period, 80 completed all pre- and post-assessment questions. The average percentage of correct responses across all questions increased from 76% at baseline to 88% post-activity (P < .001), and there was a moderate educational impact (Cohen’s d=0.59). The proportion of rheumatologists answering all 3 questions correctly rose from 49% at baseline to 71% post-activity.Rheumatologists significantly improved their knowledge of the diagnostic approach for Sjögren's disease (68% correct responses at baseline rising to 85% post-activity; P < .001) and the presence of germinal centers in the salivary glands as an indicator of the role of B cells in the pathogenesis of Sjögren's disease (66% pre- vs 81% post-activity; P < .001). Knowledge of the heterogeneous clinical presentation of Sjögren's disease was high at baseline and did not change post education (95% pre- vs 96% post-activity; P =.317).After completing the activity, 33% of rheumatologists reported improved confidence in implementing a tailored, patient-centric management approach in Sjögren's disease.

Conclusion: This online activity significantly improved rheumatologists’ knowledge of the diagnostic approach for Sjögren’s disease and the role of B cells in the pathogenesis of disease. Given the evolving treatment landscape, rheumatologists would benefit from additional education to build their confidence in managing this challenging condition & improve their knowledge of emerging B-cell targeted therapies.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/online-education-significantly-improved-rheumatologists-knowledge-of-the-diagnosis-and-management-of-sjogrens-disease/