Severe disability in rheumatoid arthritis: Assessment following comprehensive rehabilitation

Abstract

Summary 26 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who presented with severe disability to a rheumatology unit were reviewed following comprehensive rehabilition. This comprised in-patient evaluation, alteration in drug therapy, physical and occupational therapy and in many cases, orthopaedic surgery. Sustained benefit is observed 4–6 years later in terms of disease activity and functional class. The greatest improvement in functional class was noted in those patients who underwent joint replacement.