Survey of the use and effect of assistive devices in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: A two‐year followup of women and men

Objective To identify activity limitation in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to detect patients needing assistive devices. To evaluate the effects of assistive devices. Methods A multicenter cohort of 284 early RA patients was examined using the Evaluation of Daily Activity Questionnaire 12 and 24 m...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Arthritis and rheumatism 2004-06, Vol.51 (3), p.413-421
Main Authors: Thyberg, Ingrid, Hass, Ursula A. M., Nordenskiöld, Ulla, Skogh, Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activities of Daily Living
Activity limitation
altered working methods
Arthritis, Rheumatoid - physiopathology
Arthritis, Rheumatoid - rehabilitation
Assistive devices
Biological and medical sciences
disability
disease-activity
Diseases of the osteoarticular system
Early rheumatoid arthritis
Female
Follow-Up Studies
health assessment questionnaire
Health Care Surveys
Humans
Inflammatory joint diseases
instrument
Male
Medical sciences
MEDICIN
MEDICINE
Middle Aged
Reumatologi och inflammation
Rheumatology and Autoimmunity
Self-Help Devices - standards
Self-Help Devices - utilization
Sex
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Objective To identify activity limitation in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to detect patients needing assistive devices. To evaluate the effects of assistive devices. Methods A multicenter cohort of 284 early RA patients was examined using the Evaluation of Daily Activity Questionnaire 12 and 24 months after diagnosis. Results The extent of activity limitation was stable over time for both women and men. Most limitations concerned eating and drinking. Women reported more difficulties than did men. The use of assistive devices was related to subgroups with severe disease and more disability. Use of assistive devices reduced difficulties significantly. For both women and men, assistive devices were mostly used in activities related to eating and drinking. Conclusion Already 1 year after diagnosis, RA patients reported activity limitation that remained stable over time. Use of assistive devices was related to more severe disease and more pronounced disability. Use of devices reduced difficulties significantly.
ISSN:0004-3591
0893-7524
1529-0123
1529-0131
1529-0123
DOI:10.1002/art.20410