Large Variability of Frequency and Type of Physical Therapy in Patients in the German Network for Systemic Sclerosis

Belz D, Moinzadeh P, Riemekasten G, Henes J, Müller-Ladner U, Blank N, Koetter I, Siegert E, Pfeiffer C, Schmalzing M, Zeidler G, Schmeiser T, Worm M, Guenther C, Susok L, Kreuter A, Sunderkoetter C, Juche A, Aberer E, Gaebelein-Wissing N, Ramming A, Kuhr K, Hunzelmann N (2020)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

Book Volume: 72

Pages Range: 1041-1048

Journal Issue: 8

DOI: 10.1002/acr.23998

Abstract

Objective: To determine the type and frequency of physical therapy (PT) prescribed by physicians for patients in the registry of the German Network for Systemic Sclerosis. Methods: The data for 4,252 patients were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and odds ratios (ORs). Results: Overall, 37.4% of patients (1,590 of 4,252) received PT at the end of a yearly follow-up. The most frequently used type of PT was lymphatic drainage (n = 1,061, 36.8%), followed by exercise therapy (n = 1,047, 36.3%) and heat therapy (n = 689, 23.9%). More than three-fourths of treated patients (82%) received 1 or 2 different forms of PT simultaneously. The prescription of PT was associated with the extent of skin fibrosis as measured by the modified Rodnan skin thickness score (<10 [41.8% of patients], 11–20 [55.8% of patients], and >21 [63.9% of patients]; P < 0.001). Patients with musculoskeletal involvement (e.g., arthritis, muscle weakness, joint contractures, tendon friction rubs) had a higher chance of receiving PT than patients without these symptoms, with corresponding ORs ranging from 1.96 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.69–2.28) for joint contractures to 3.83 (95% CI 2.89–5.08) for arthritis. When comparing the type of PT prescription across the initial and all follow-up visits from 2003 to 2017, significant alterations with a decreasing frequency of patients receiving PT could be observed (P = 0.001). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the use of PT in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) in a large cohort. Although SSc is characterized by considerable disability and restriction of motion, <40% of patients received PT.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Tübingen Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Köln Germany (DE) Katholisches Klinikum Bochum (St. Josef- und St. Elisabeth-Hospital gGmbH) Germany (DE) HELIOS Kliniken Germany (DE) Johanniter GmbH Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg Germany (DE) Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Germany (DE) Medizinische Universität Graz Austria (AT) Universitätsklinikum Würzburg Germany (DE) Universität zu Köln Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Münster Germany (DE) Asklepios Klinik Altona Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Ulm Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Belz, D., Moinzadeh, P., Riemekasten, G., Henes, J., Müller-Ladner, U., Blank, N.,... Hunzelmann, N. (2020). Large Variability of Frequency and Type of Physical Therapy in Patients in the German Network for Systemic Sclerosis. Arthritis & Rheumatism-Arthritis Care & Research, 72(8), 1041-1048. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.23998

MLA:

Belz, D., et al. "Large Variability of Frequency and Type of Physical Therapy in Patients in the German Network for Systemic Sclerosis." Arthritis & Rheumatism-Arthritis Care & Research 72.8 (2020): 1041-1048.

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