[Nonpharmacological Treatment Measures, Rehabilitation Services and Membership in Patient Support Groups in Axial Spondylarthritis (The ATTENTUS AxSpA Study)]

Overview

Journal Z Rheumatol

Publisher Springer

Specialty Rheumatology

Date 2023 Sep 19

PMID 37725129

Authors

D Meyer-Olson

K Hoeper

L Hammel

S Lieb

A Haehle

U Kiltz

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The treatment of axial spondylarthritis (axSpA) includes pharmacological treatment measures (PTM) and nonpharmacological treatment measures (NPTM) as well as supporting resources, such as rehabilitation services (RS) and membership in patient support groups (PSG). Nevertheless, there are significant participation restrictions in patients with axSpA in Germany.

Objective: Investigation of functional deficits, participation restrictions and utilization of PTM, NPTM, RS and PSG membership in patients with axSpA.

Material And Methods: Multicentric, observational study of 770 axSpA patients in Germany (ATTENTUS-axSpA).

Results: Substantial functional deficits and participation restrictions were observed in axSpA patients. Of the patients 39% did not receive treatment with biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD). In the NPTM 54% received physiotherapy less than once per week and 29% once per week. Physical activities were regularly performed by 86% of patients, mainly in the form of home exercises. Training in a gym (14%) or sports club (7%) was carried out much less frequently. Of the patients 54% received RS, one third had the last rehabilitation more than 5 years ago and 13% of the patients were members in a PSG. A significantly higher utilization of NPTM and rehabilitation was found in this group.

Conclusion: Treatment options and resources were often utilized to a small extent and/or in low intensity by axSpA patients, which could be a possible explanation for persisting restrictions of participation. Membership in a PSG was associated with an increased utilization of NPTM and RS.

Citing Articles

[Rheumatological care in Germany : Memorandum of the German Society for Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology 2024].

Braun J, Albrecht K, Callhoff J, Haase I, Krause A, Lakomek H Z Rheumatol. 2024; 83(Suppl 2):249-284.

PMID: 39136764 DOI: 10.1007/s00393-024-01539-2.

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