Severe disability in rheumatoid arthritis: assessment following comprehensive rehabilitation.
26 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who presented with severe disability to a rheumatology unit were reviewed following comprehensive rehabilitation. This comprised in-patient evaluation, alteration in drug therapy, physical and occupational therapy and in many cases, orthopaedic surgery. Sustained benefit is observed 4-6 years later in terms of disease activity and functional class. The greatest improvement in functional class was noted in those patients who underwent joint replacement.
McCarthy
G
G
Egan
S
S
FitzGerald
O
O
Bresnihan
B
B
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D001178:Arthroplasty; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006046:Gold / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D006046:Gold