Alumna Dr Mrinalini Dey publishes in The Lancet Rheumatology
Advancing Rheumatology Research
Alumna Dr Mrinalini Dey has published new research in The Lancet Rheumatology Study examines health literacy as an influence on outcomes in inflammatory arthritis.
Dr Mrinalini Dey studied medicine at Murray Edwards and is now a Registrar in Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, currently completing a PhD at King’s College London.
The study analysed data from 995 patients across England enrolled in the National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit, one of the largest national datasets of its kind. Participants completed the multidimensional Health Literacy Questionnaire alongside measures of disease activity, mental health, treatment use, comorbidities, and work participation.
The research found that lower health literacy, particularly difficulty finding, understanding, and using health information, was strongly associated with worse physical and mental health outcomes. Patients with lower health literacy reported higher disease activity, more tender and swollen joints, greater symptoms of anxiety and depression, higher comorbidity burden, and increased corticosteroid use. Lower health literacy was also associated with poorer work outcomes, including increased absenteeism and reduced productivity at work.
Importantly, these associations remained even after accounting for educational attainment, suggesting that health literacy is a distinct and potentially modifiable determinant of health rather than simply a reflection of formal education. The study highlights the need for healthcare systems to improve how information is communicated and how patients are supported to navigate care.
The findings contribute to growing international evidence that improving health literacy could help reduce health inequalities and improve long-term outcomes for people with chronic diseases.
Mrinalini says:
“I love my work, and have been fortunate to give presentations and forge collaborations with teams within the UK and beyond. I hope to go on to become an Academic Rheumatologist, continuing my work in epidemiology and public health in the care of people with rheumatic diseases.”