The effect of a period of rehabilitation in a rheumatic diseases unit on patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a period of rehabilitation in a rheumatic diseases unit. Thirty-nine patients with rheumatoid arthritis were included in two study periods, which involved assessment of six outcome measures on admission and again on discharge in a rehabilitation unit in Dublin. These measures incorporate each level of disease impact – impairment, disability and handicap (WHO 1980) and the more recent update of the International Classification of Functioning and Disability (ICIDH-2 2000) of body functions and structures, activities and participation. Results suggest an improvement in each area of assessment. Objective measures of grip strength improved in 74% of patients, and timed functional tasks in 77 – 86% of patients. Patient reported measures on the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2 (AIMS2) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and Quality of Life Index (QOL) indicated that 71.4% - 80% and 48% of subjects reported an improvement respectively. These figures suggest the beneficial effect of in-patient rehabilitation for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.