Table 1.

Baseline characteristics of 105 consecutive consenting participants with multiple chronic conditions presenting for periodic visits

INTERVENTION
VARIABLEPATIENT ACTIVATION CARD (n = 44)USUAL CARE (n = 61)P VALUE
Age, y65.666.5.58
Sex, % female52.354.1.85
Ethnicity, %.64
 • Black50.062.3
 • White43.829.5
 • Hispanic2.13.3
 • Other4.14.9
Marital status, %.70
 • Married70.276.1
 • Single2.11.5
 • Divorced6.48.9
 • Widowed21.313.5
Systolic blood pressure, mm Hg*139.0136.0.35
Diastolic blood pressure, mm Hg*81.580.2.49
Hypercholesterolemia, %40.942.6.86
Arthritis, %50.057.4.58
Diabetes, %27.341.0.21
Heart disease (CAD or CHF), %9.113.1.76
Depression or anxiety disorder, %13.619.7.58
COPD, %9.16.6.91
CKD, %11.414.8.83
Current pain level2.23.1.13
Health literacy, % never or rarely need help§97.788.5.05
Median no. of medications78
Adherence, %||51.742.8.10
Recent stress, %41.943.3.88
Patient preference for shared decision making, %55.852.5.74
Functional status, score24.221.9.03
  • CAD—coronary artery disease, CHF—chronic heart failure, CKD—chronic kidney disease, COPD—chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, VAS—visual analog scale.

  • * Blood pressure levels are an average of 3 measurements taken while patient is seated and after 5 minutes of rest.

  • Data are from self-rated medical history.

  • Pain levels are based on scores from a 10-point VAS.

  • § This is a self-reported question about how often a patient needs help when reading instructions, pamphlets, or other written material from doctors or pharmacists.

  • || Adherence is mean percentage based on pill count.

  • Functional status is assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 6-Item Short Form Health Survey.