RESEARCH - Work capacity in early RA: a study of team care with emphasis on vocational support

July 9, 2006

Scand J Rheumatol. 2006 Jan-Feb;35(1):7-14.

A two-year follow-up of work capacity in early rheumatoid arthritis: a study

of multidisciplinary team care with emphasis on vocational support.

Nordmark B, Blomqvist P, Andersson B, Hagerstrom M, Nordh-Grate K, Ronnqvist

R, Svensson H, Klareskog L.

Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine at Karolinska University Hospital,

Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. birgitta.nordmark@...

OBJECTIVE: To explore changes in sick leave patterns and work ability in

patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The patients received active

team support focusing on vocational rehabilitation, in addition to treatment

with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). METHODS: This is an

observational study of 110 patients with early RA aged 18-60 years and not

permanently disabled. All patients were monitored regularly during a 2-year

period by a team comprising a nurse, an occupational therapist, a

physiotherapist, a rheumatologist, and a social worker. Intervention

included work-site visits and rehabilitation meetings with the employer and

the official from the local social insurance office in addition to DMARD

treatment and different individual treatments, and support from the team

members. RESULTS: The number of patients working full-time increased from 65

to 74 (14%), those with full-time work disability decreased from 37 to 13

(65%), and patients working part-time increased from 8 to 23 (65%). This

change was already evident during the first year.

CONCLUSION: Active vocational support in addition to DMARD treatment may

prevent or delay work disability in patients with early RA.

PMID: 16467034

ct & list_uids=16467034

Not an MD

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Mayo Clinic in Rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

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