Physiotherapy in subtropic climate improves functional capacity and health-related quality of life in Swedish patients with rheumatoid arthritis and spondylarthropathies still after 6 months

Abstract

Objective: The objective was to prospectively evaluate the short as well as the long-term effects of intensive physiotherapy in a stable, sunny and warm climate on physical function and health related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondylarthropathies (SpA).

Methods: Ninety-three Swedish patients with RA and SpA receiving physiotherapy for 4 weeks in Israel or Tenerife were followed for 6 months. Physical function was evaluated by the Swedish version of Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and quality of life by the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) questionnaire.

Results: There were significant improvements in HAQ-scores and global NHP-scores as well as all subcategories of NHP immediately after the treatment abroad, effects that were still measurable after six months. At that time point nearly half of the patients had clinically meaningful reduction of HAQ-scores (> or = 0.25).

Conclusion: Physiotherapy in a warm and stable climate, with many hours of daily sunshine, is a valuable treatment complement for Swedish patients with RA and SpA.