Effectiveness of a rehabilitative programme in improving fatigue and function in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with biologics: a pilot study.

CER5888
2013 Vol.31, N°2
PI 0285, PF 0288
Brief Papers

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PMID: 23406843 [PubMed]

Received: 07/08/2012
Accepted : 03/10/2012
In Press: 13/02/2013
Published: 15/03/2013

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the effectiveness of a personalised rehabilitative programme in improving fatigue and function in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) female patients treated with biologic DMARDs.
METHODS:
Thirty-eight consecutive female RA in-patients treated with biologics, entered this prospective pilot study. All subjects were in high disease activity (DAS-28>5.1). After baseline (T0) evaluation, a personalised 4-weeks rehabilitative programme was added to standard biologic treatment and all patients were re-evaluated at the end of the rehabilitative treatment (T1), at 3 (T2), 6 (T3) and 9 (T4) month follow-up. Clinical rheumatologic assessment included the DAS-28, TJC, SJC, global health status, HAQ and FACIT.
RESULTS:
Subjects showed a mean age of 65±3.5 years and a 10±1,1 years mean disease duration. All clinical and laboratory outcomes significantly improved at the different follow-up times as compared to baseline. In particular, a significant improvement in function and fatigue indices (HAQ and FACIT) was found since T1 to T4 as compared to T0. During the follow-up, DAS-28 decreased. Accordingly, about 30% of subjects achieved a moderate disease activity (DAS-28<5.1).
CONCLUSIONS:
A combined treatment biologics-rehabilitation is effective in improving function and fatigue in female patients with established RA. Fatigue results independent from disease activity.