TITLE:
Physiotherapy Management of Rheumatic Diseases
AUTHORS:
Aly Badra Kamissoko, Abdoulaye Barry, Mamadou Lamine Diallo, Boutros Cosme Nato, Abdel Amide Gbadamassi, Marie Traore, Abèni Faouzyath Yaya, Facely Traore, Paul Eloundou, Sory Diane, Matènè Komara, Halimatou Barry, Moriba Toure, Moriba Toure, Kaba Conde, Owonayo Oniankitan
KEYWORDS:
Rheumatological Disease, Physiotherapy, WOMAC, Guinea
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Rheumatology and Autoimmune Diseases,
Vol.14 No.1,
February
29,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Physiotherapy is an integral part of the non-drug treatment strategy for
rheumatological conditions. The evidence for its effects is not formal. The
objective was to evaluate the impact of physiotherapy in the management of
rheumatological disorders. Methods: 6-month case-control study (December
15, 2021 to June 20, 2022) at Ignace Deen University Hospital (Conakry).
Patients with rheumatological disease who received drug therapy and
physiotherapy were included in the case group. Age- and sex-matched controls
had rheumatological conditions, treated without physiotherapy. The evaluation questionnaires were used: WOMAC (osteoarthritis), EIFEL (low back pain), NDI (neck pain), SPADI (shoulder).
Patients with heart failure, respiratory failure and/or skin infection were not
included. Results: We collected 773 patients (389 cases and 384
controls) with a mean age of 53.8 years ± 12.2 with female predominance
(56.8%). Patients were mainly followed for osteoarthritis (65.2%).
Rheumatological conditions managed were knee-based (119; 30.6%), lumbar spine
(220; 56.6%), shoulders (27; 6.9%) and cervical spine (23; 5.9%). For an
average duration of 53.4 ± 12.2 minutes per session,
patients had benefited from a median of 19 physiotherapy sessions. After 3
months, the baseline mean VAS of 6/10 improved to 2.2 ± 1.6 for cases and 5.7 ±
1.2 for controls. Functional capacity was improved (WOMAC: 41.8 ± 22.7 vs. 18.3 ± 7.3). The
satisfaction of patients treated with physiotherapy was 20 times higher than in
controls. Conclusion: Physiotherapy performed in the management of
rheumatological conditions significantly reduced pain and improved functional capacity.