Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the sustained effect of a rehabilitation programme for
patients with ankylosing spondylitis, and to compare the effect of this
intervention given in a Mediterranean vs a Norwegian setting. A total of
107 patients with ankylosing spondylitis applying for rehabilitation were
randomized to a 4-week inpatient rehabilitation programme in a Mediterranean
country or in Norway. The participants were evaluated clinically before and after
the rehabilitation period (week 0 and 4) and in week 16. The ASsessments in
Ankylosing Spondylitis working group's Improvement Criteria (ASAS-IC), and tests
of spinal mobility and physical capacity were used to measure treatment response.
RESULTS: An ASAS20 improvement was still present at week 16 in 50% of the
patients treated in a Mediterranean and 23% in a Norwegian centre (p = 0.006).
The tests of spinal mobility, physical capacity, and almost all patient's
assessments of health status (ASAS-IC components) were still improved at week 16
after therapy in both climatic settings. While the improvements in physical
capacity were comparable, the spinal mobility and ASAS-IC components improved
more, and improvements were sustained longer, after rehabilitation in a
Mediterranean setting. CONCLUSION: Patients with ankylosing spondylitis benefit
from a 4-week rehabilitation programme in Norway, but even more so from a similar
programme in a Mediterranean setting.

Langue : ANGLAIS