Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the mean overall effects over a 1-year period of a
multidisciplinary in-patient rehabilitation programme for patients with
ankylosing spondylitis. DESIGN: Observer-blinded, randomized controlled trial,
with assessments made after 4 and 12 months. Patients:
Forty-six patients
received a 3-week in-patient rehabilitation programme and 49 patients received
treatment as usual. METHODS: Primary outcomes were disease activity measured with
the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Scale (BASDAI), and function
measured with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI). Secondary
outcomes included well-being, spinal and hip mobility, and health-related quality
of life measured with the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36. Overall treatment
effects were estimated with Mixed models repeated measures analyses. RESULTS:
Significant overall treatment effects in favour of the rehabilitation group were
found in the BASDAI score (mean difference over the 1-year period -10.0, 95%
confidence interval: -3.7 to -16.3), in well-being (-7.3, 95% confidence
interval: -1.0 to -14.7), and in the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36
variables social functioning, role physical, role mental and bodily pain (mean
differences ranging from 5.8 (pain) to 10.7 (role physical)). CONCLUSION: A 3-week in-patient rehabilitation programme had positive overall effects on
disease activity, pain, function and well-being, and should be considered an
important complement to medical disease management in persons with ankylosing
spondylitis.

Langue : ANGLAIS