Article

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of an interdisciplinary, out-patient
rehabilitation programme for patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis on
aerobic capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). METHOD: One hundred
and seventy-four patients, 115 with peripheral arthritis (PA) (91 women, mean age
53 years, disease duration 16 years) and 59 with spondylarthropathies (SpA), (27
women, mean age 46 years, disease duration 14 years) were consecutively enrolled
in 18 days of interdisciplinary rehabilitation. We report data from evaluations
at inclusion, at discharge, and at 4 and 12 months using a sub-maximal treadmill
test of aerobic capacity and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) (t-test).
RESULTS: At inclusion, less than 20% of all patients tested had aerobic capacity
classified as 'average' or better. At discharge, 41% (PA) and 54% (SpA) reached
the 'average' level or better with improvements maintained for 12 months. The
total NHP scores improved in both groups (mean change -12 (99%CI -15, -9) for PA;
mean change -13 (99%CI -19, -8) for SpA) and were maintained. CONCLUSION: Aerobic
capacity and HRQOL improved significantly in this interdisciplinary out-patient
rehabilitation study, and improvements were maintained for 12 months. The
preserved level of aerobic capacity after 12 months indicated a change to a more
physically active lifestyle among the participants.

Langue : ANGLAIS