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.
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Authors | Luisa Di Gioia, Carmela Zincarelli, Matteo Nicola Dario Di Minno, Giuseppe Rengo, Rosario Peluso, Angelo Spanò, Salvatore Iervolino, Nicola Pappone |
Journal | Clinical and experimental rheumatology
(Clin Exp Rheumatol)
2013 Mar-Apr
Vol. 31
Issue 2
Pg. 285-8
ISSN: 0392-856X [Print] Italy |
PMID | 23406843
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Aged
- Antirheumatic Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid
(complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Disability Evaluation
- Exercise Therapy
- Fatigue
(diagnosis, etiology, rehabilitation)
- Female
- Humans
- Middle Aged
- Pilot Projects
- Precision Medicine
- Prospective Studies
- Severity of Illness Index
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Time Factors
- Treatment Outcome
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