Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Pages: 1513-1520

Journal: Clinical Rheumatology

Volume number: 39

Issue number: 5

ISSN: 0770-3198

eISSN: 1434-9949

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-019-04887-6

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
Objectives Multimodal rheumatologic complex treatment (MRCT) is a specific concept of German inpatient care focusing on physical therapy for patients with rheumatic diseases suffering from exacerbated pain and functional impairment. As physical therapy is a key concept in the treatment of spondyloarthritis (SpA), we conducted a monocentric retrospective analysis of the effects of MRCT on pain and functional status in patients with SpA including patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis with axial involvement (axPsA). Methods 134 treatment episodes provided to 100 patients with SpA between 2014 and 2017 were analysed. We evaluated changes in pain intensity, in functional status and in disease activity before and after a treatment episode. In addition, we assessed potential influences of various patient characteristics, the course of the disease and comorbidities. Results Overall, MRCT resulted in significant amelioration of pain (NRS: p < 0.001), significant improvement of functional capacity (FFbH: p = 0.03; HAQ: p = 0.02; BASFI: p < 0.001) and significant reduction of disease activity (BASDAI p < 0.001; DAS28: p = 0.009). In general, treatment effects on axSpA, nr-axSpA and axPsA were comparable. Different aspects of the disease and its previous course did not have a significant effect on the outcome parameters. Comorbidities (e.g. fibromyalgia) did not significantly influence treatment response. Conclusion MRCT not only decreases pain and improves function but also reduces disease activity in patients with axSpA, nr-axSpA and axPsA irrespective of the course of disease and comorbidities (e.g. fibromyalgia), thus underlining the importance of non-pharmacological and physical treatment in the treatment of SpA.

Harvard Citation style: Klemm, P., Hudowenz, O., Asendorf, T., Dischereit, G., Mueller-Ladner, U., Lange, U., et al. (2020) Evaluation of a special concept of physical therapy in spondyloarthritis: German multimodal rheumatologic complex treatment for spondyloarthritis, Clinical Rheumatology, 39(5), pp. 1513-1520. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-019-04887-6

APA Citation style: Klemm, P., Hudowenz, O., Asendorf, T., Dischereit, G., Mueller-Ladner, U., Lange, U., & Tarner, I. (2020). Evaluation of a special concept of physical therapy in spondyloarthritis: German multimodal rheumatologic complex treatment for spondyloarthritis. Clinical Rheumatology. 39(5), 1513-1520. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-019-04887-6