Intensive Exercise Therapy Research Articles

Exercise therapy results of postoperativ treated critical iliac artery stenosis (TASC II A and B) patients who were infected with the Covid 19

Introduction: Adequate individual physical activity after COVID 19 infection as a inevitable part of postoperative therapy of surgically treated vascular and endovascular patients witch still remains a scientific unexplored international neglected secret. General post-covid symptomatology is increasingly present in patients with surgical or endovascular procedures on the iliac segment in the form of a manifestation of various complaints that can affect the very accessibility of the choice of treatment according to the TASC II guidelines, but also affect physical activity and quality of life. Besides the medicament treatment, the management of moderate intensity exercise therapy and future consistency of self-controlled exercise after surgical and endovascular after treatment in iliac critic stenosis with other asymptomatic systemic atherosclerosis can be important factor to support and improve benefits of surgical and endovascular treatment outcome in variable symptomatology of POSTCOVID 19 patients treated classical surgical and endovascular. Goals: The focus is on priority of investigation of remodeling the pattern of cultural smoking behavior and increasing the dynamic of physical activity trying to prevent and avoid potential risk of sudden death, myocardial infarction, stroke graft (stent) occlusion, and cardiovascular mortality in patients with POSTCOVID 19 symptomatology in which is besides other asymptomatic systemic atherosclerosis is the main disease critical iliac artery stenosis (TASC II A and B). Scientifically unproven that sometimes can be associated with poor outcome of surgical intervention the which are in deficit with scientific studies to confirm these scientific observations. Second goals are to investigate the potential possibility of POST COVID 19 symptomatology associated with the success of classic surgical bypass or endovascular intervention and the possibility of reflection on physical activity after vascular intervention. Also the improving and secure the quality of life after successful surgical bypass and endovascular revascularization treatment with influence on primary iliac (TASC II A and B) vascular intervention potency one of main goals as well suppress permanent or permanent consequences of the Covid 19 virus during therapeutic surgical or endovascular procedures of the iliac segment (TASC II A and B) Traditional food as well wrong choice of diet and continuous fight with nicotinism is still remains generally main health threat. Subjects and Methods: 266 Symptomatic post COVID 19 Patients with were observed during 3 years (134 patients with surgical dacron reconstruction and 132 with endovascular treatmant of short segment critical iliac artery stenosis) Moderate interval Intensity Training with Short Interval Repetitions on standard treadmill procedure. Results: The connection of the outcome of surgical and endovascular treatment with post and long covid 19 symptomatology is possible and has a significant impact on the quality of the continuation of physical medication therapy. Difference between the surgical and endovascular groups was observed after the implementation of the treatment as well as factors affecting the outcome of therapy. the outcome is devastating with the prevention of the risk factor of nicotism as well as with the lack of physical activity in some groups. Conclusion: Primary potency after Three years of Endovascular procedure and Dacron bypass Revascularization, has shown as successful with support of supervised exercise training in POSTCOVID 19 patients. Nicotiism still remains highly potency outcome threat when supporting exercise therapy. Also, future and recent studies on this topic should expand their understanding of the effect of the COVID 19 virus on the body in this patients, as well as improving the quality of life in order to improve the patency of bypass or endovascular intervention on the arterial iliac segment.

Safety and efficacy of aggressive exercise therapy for patients with unilateral early-stage spondylolysis: A retrospective comparative cohort study

IntroductionBony union in patients with early-stage spondylolysis can be achieved using a rigid corset and avoiding sports activities. However, prolonged absence from sports activities may decrease physical fitness. This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of aggressive exercise therapy for patients with early-stage spondylolysis (ESS). MethodsThirty-one patients (aged <19 years; 26 males) diagnosed with unilateral ESS were divided into light intensity (L group; n = 16) and aggressive (A group; n = 15) exercise groups. All patients wore a hard corset and received light intensity (L group) or aggressive (A group) exercise therapy for 2–3 months. After treatment, the bony union was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. The mean interval between the initial and second computed tomography examinations, including treatment drop-out rates, was determined. Results: Second computed tomography examination results showed that bony union was either improved or achieved in both groups. The mean interval between the initial and second computed tomography examinations was 78.1 ± 19.7 and 78.1 ± 17.4 days in the L and A groups, respectively, with no significant difference. The L group had a higher drop-out rate (n = 5; 31.3%) than the A group (n = 1; 6.7%), albeit not significant. DiscussionBoth groups showed bony union after treatment, suggesting that aggressive exercise therapy was safe and effective for patients with unilateral ESS. Moreover, the lower drop-out rate in group A suggests that aggressive exercise therapy maintained the patients’ adherence to long-term treatment. ConclusionsAggressive exercise therapy was effective-to-safe and maintained good motivation in patients with ESS.

Handgrip strength is inversely associated with augmentation index in patients with type 2 diabetes

Handgrip strength (HGS) is a measure of overall skeletal muscle strength and is used to identify risks for cardiovascular disease and mortality. Furthermore, HGS is an indicator of arterial stiffness that leads to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to examine the relationship between HGS and augmentation index (AIx) in patients with type 2 diabetes. A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine patients with type 2 diabetes whose HGS and AIx were measured in our hospital. AIx was measured noninvasively using an applanation tonometer, and multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess the independent relationship between HGS and AIx. This study included 404 patients. After adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, duration of diabetes, smoking and exercise habit, biochemical parameters, and physiological parameters related to arterial stiffness, HGS was found to be independently and inversely associated with AIx (β = − 0.270, p = 0.006). HGS was independently and inversely associated with AIx in patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients with diminished HGS should be subjected to intensive exercise therapy for reducing the risk of arterial stiffness and cardiovascular disease.Trial registration: UMIN000023010.

Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: Exercise Pitfalls, Role of Connexin-43, and Moving beyond Antiarrhythmics

Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (ACM), a Mendelian disorder that can affect both left and right ventricles, is most often associated with pathogenic desmosomal variants that can lead to fibrofatty replacement of the myocardium, a pathological hallmark of this disease. Current therapies are aimed to prevent the worsening of disease phenotypes and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Despite the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) there is no present therapy that would mitigate the loss in electrical signal and propagation by these fibrofatty barriers. Recent studies have shown the influence of forced vs. voluntary exercise in a variety of healthy and diseased mice; more specifically, that exercised mice show increased Connexin-43 (Cx43) expression levels. Fascinatingly, increased Cx43 expression ameliorated the abnormal electrical signal conduction in the myocardium of diseased mice. These findings point to a major translational pitfall in current therapeutics for ACM patients, who are advised to completely cease exercising and already demonstrate reduced Cx43 levels at the myocyte intercalated disc. Considering cardiac dysfunction in ACM arises from the loss of cardiomyocytes and electrical signal conduction abnormalities, an increase in Cx43 expression—promoted by low to moderate intensity exercise and/or gene therapy—could very well improve cardiac function in ACM patients.

Intensive exercise therapy for restenosis after superficial femoral artery stenting: the REASON randomized clinical trial

Endovascular treatment (EVT) is the main treatment for peripheral artery disease (PAD). Despite advances in device development, the restenosis rate remains high in patients with femoropopliteal lesions (FP). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise training in reducing the 1-year in-stent restenosis rate of bare metal nitinol stents for FPs. This prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter study was conducted from January 2017 to March 2019. We randomized 44 patients who had claudication with de novo stenosis or occlusion of the FP into an intensive exercise group (n = 22) and non-intensive exercise group (n = 22). Non-intensive exercise was defined as walking for less than 30 min per session, fewer than three times a week. We assessed exercise tolerance using an activity meter at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, and physiotherapists ensured maintenance of exercise quality every month. The primary endpoint was instant restenosis defined as a peak systolic velocity ratio > 2.5 on duplex ultrasound imaging. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to evaluate the data. There were no significant differences in background characteristics between the groups. Six patients dropped out of the study within 1 year. In terms of the primary endpoint, intensive exercise significantly improved the patency rate of bare nitinol stents at 12 months. The 1-year freedom from in-stent restenosis rates were 81.3% in the intensive exercise group and 47.6% in the non-intensive exercise group (p = 0.043). No cases of stent fracture were observed in the intensive exercise group. Intensive exercise is safe and reduces in-stent restenosis in FP lesions after endovascular therapy for PAD. Clinical trial registration: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (No. UMIN 000025259).

Effects of Diet, Lifestyle, Chrononutrition and Alternative Dietary Interventions on Postprandial Glycemia and Insulin Resistance.

As years progress, we are found more often in a postprandial than a postabsorptive state. Chrononutrition is an integral part of metabolism, pancreatic function, and hormone secretion. Eating most calories and carbohydrates at lunch time and early afternoon, avoiding late evening dinner, and keeping consistent number of daily meals and relative times of eating occasions seem to play a pivotal role for postprandial glycemia and insulin sensitivity. Sequence of meals and nutrients also play a significant role, as foods of low density such as vegetables, salads, or soups consumed first, followed by protein and then by starchy foods lead to ameliorated glycemic and insulin responses. There are several dietary schemes available, such as intermittent fasting regimes, which may improve glycemic and insulin responses. Weight loss is important for the treatment of insulin resistance, and it can be achieved by many approaches, such as low-fat, low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean-style diets, etc. Lifestyle interventions with small weight loss (7–10%), 150 min of weekly moderate intensity exercise and behavioral therapy approach can be highly effective in preventing and treating type 2 diabetes. Similarly, decreasing carbohydrates in meals also improves significantly glycemic and insulin responses, but the extent of this reduction should be individualized, patient-centered, and monitored. Alternative foods or ingredients, such as vinegar, yogurt, whey protein, peanuts and tree nuts should also be considered in ameliorating postprandial hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. This review aims to describe the available evidence about the effects of diet, chrononutrition, alternative dietary interventions and exercise on postprandial glycemia and insulin resistance.

Parkinson's disease and intensive exercise therapy - An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

In 2015, Uhrbrand et al. published the first review on Parkinson´s disease (PD) and exercise entirely based on randomized controlled trials (RCT) applying strict exercise definitions. The present review aimed to update the PD literature by assessing the effects of different intensive exercise modalities: resistance training (RT), endurance training (ET), and other intensive exercise modalities (OITM). An updated systematic literature search identified 33 new RCTs. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed. A total of 18 RT, 14 ET, and 1 OITM studies were identified (adding to the 8 RT, 6 ET, and 4 OITM studies identified by Uhrbrand et al. in 2015). RT, ET, and OITM were feasible, safe, and did not worsen PD symptoms. Furthermore, RT, ET, and OITM may positively affect functional outcomes (e.g., balance) and depressive symptoms in PD but inconsistencies across these findings warrant cautious conclusions. Meta-analyses showed that RT had a positive impact on muscle strength (standardized mean difference (SMD)=0.83 [95% CI;0.54, 1.12]), functional capacity (Timed Up and Go Test (TUG): SMD=-0.62 [-1.01, -0.24]), and quality of life (SMD=-0.41 [-0.72, -0.09]), while ET had a positive impact on cardiorespiratory fitness (SMD=0.27 [0.07, 0.47]) and functional capacity (TUG: SMD=-0.21 [-0.46, 0.04], 6-Min Walk Test: SMD=0.89 [0.17, 1.62]), and a potentially positive impact on "on-medication" UPDRS-III (SMD=-0.15 [-0.38, 0.09]) and "off-medication" UPDRS-III (SMD=-0.19 [-0.41, 0.04]). In conclusion, RT, ET, and OITM all represent safe, feasible, and beneficial adjunct rehabilitation strategies in PD, with particularly RT and ET showing solid effects.

Immunological Effects of an Add-On Physical Exercise Therapy in Depressed Adolescents and Its Interplay with Depression Severity.

Background: Pro-inflammatory cytokines (PICs) have gained attention in the pathophysiology and treatment of depressive disorders. At the same time, the therapeutic effect of physical activity seems to work via immunomodulatory pathways. The interventional study “Mood Vibes” analyzed the influence of exercise on depression severity (primary endpoint) in depressive adolescents; the influence of PICs on the clinical outcome was analyzed as a secondary endpoint. Methods: Clinically diagnosed depressed adolescents (N = 64; 28.1% male; mean age = 15.9; mean BMI = 24.6) were included and participated either in Whole Body Vibration (WBV) (n = 21) or bicycle ergometer training (n = 20) in addition to treatment-as-usual (TAU). Patients in the control treatment group received TAU only (n = 23). The PICs (interleukin-6—IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α—TNF-α) were analyzed before intervention, after 6 weeks of training (t1), and 8 weeks post-intervention (t2). The effects of the treatment on depression severity were rated by self-rating “Depression Inventory for Children and Adolescents” (DIKJ). Results: Basal IL-6 decreased in all groups from t0 to t1, but it increased again in WBV and controls at t2. TNF-α diminished in ergometer and controls from baseline to t1. PIC levels showed no correlation with depression severity at baseline. The influence on DIKJ scores over time was significant for IL-6 in the WBV group (p = 0.008). Sex had an impact on TNF-α (p < 0.001), with higher concentrations in male patients. Higher body mass index was associated with higher IL-6 concentrations over all measurement points (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The positive effects of an intensive add-on exercise therapy on adolescent depression seem to be partly influenced by immunomodulation. A small sample size and non-randomized controls are limitations of this study.

Exercise-induced lactate responses in Multiple Sclerosis: A retrospective analysis.

Persons with Multiple Sclerosis have elevated resting serum lactate concentrations compared to healthy controls (HC). To evaluate lactate concentrations during acute exercise and/or following training in MS compared to HC. In this retrospective study, blood lactate concentrations (mmol/l) originating from two previous studies were analyzed. Lactate concentrations originated from acute submaximal (MSsubmax; HC, n = 11; MS, n = 32) or maximal (MSmax; HC, n = 20; MS, n = 24) exercise tests and following a 24-week mild to moderate intensity (MSsubmax, n = 12) or 12-week high intensity interval (MSmax, n = 13) exercise intervention. Under submaximal conditions in MS and compared to HC, lactaterest (MS: 2.7±0.6 vs HC: 2.3±0.7 was significantly (p < 0.05) elevated. After 24 weeks of mild-to-moderate-intensity exercise training and compared to PRE-values, lactatebout2 (2.5±0.7 vs 3.4±1.1) significantly (p < 0.05) decreased during submaximal testing in MSsubmax. Under maximal conditions, lactatestart (2.3±1.0 vs 1.7±0.9) was significantly (p > 0.05) elevated in MS. Twelve weeks of high intensity interval training did not improve this (p > 0.05). Under the conditions of this retrospective analysis we conclude that lactate concentrations during acute submaximal and maximal exercise in persons with MS are similar compared to healthy controls. Moderate intensity exercise therapy appeared to improve lactate accumulation but high intensity exercise therapy did not.

Effects of an Intensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Program in Elderly Patients with Obesity

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the short-term effectiveness of an intensive inpatient multidimensional rehabilitation program (MRP), including diet, exercise, and behavioral therapy, in elderly patients with severe obesity. Methods: Forty-four elderly patients (old; age 69.3 ± 3.5 years, BMI 41.9 ± 14.9) were analyzed against 215 younger patients (young; age 48.2 ± 18.5 years, BMI 43.9 ± 9.4), who were used as controls. All patients underwent MRP, based on group therapy guided by a multidisciplinary team (physicians, dietitians, exercise trainers, psychologists). We evaluated changes in anthropometry, cardiovascular risk factors, physical fitness, quality of life, and eating behavior. Results: After 3 weeks of MRP, we observed a reduction in body weight (old –3.8%, young –4.3%), BMI (old –3.9%, young –4.4%), waist circumference (old –3.4%, young –4.1%), total cholesterol (old –14.0%, young –15.0%), and fasting glucose (old –8.3%, young –8.1%), as well as improved performance in the Six-Minute-Walk Test (old +28.7%, young +15.3%), chair-stand test (old +24.8%, young +26.9%), and arm-curl test (old +15.2%, young +27.3%). Significant improvement was registered in all other analyzed domains. Conclusion: Our 3-week MRP provided significant clinical and functional improvement, which was similar between elderly and younger patients with severe obesity. In the long-term, this may be translated into better quality of life, through better management of obesity-associated morbidities and reduced frailty.

Periodized home-based training: A new strategy to improve high intensity exercise therapy adherence in mildly affected patients with Multiple Sclerosis

IntroductionAlthough high intensity exercise therapy (HIT) in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) induces substantial effects, longer term compliance to such a training program is not evident. When embedded in a periodized, home-based training strategy, high intensity exercise therapy adherence may improve. This is explored first in mildly affected persons with MS. MethodsExercise capacity (maximal exercise test) and body composition (DEXA) of healthy controls (n = 22) and persons with MS (n = 23, EDSS: 1.9 ± 1.1) were assessed at baseline (PRE). Next and within the context of an MS awareness project (climbing the Mont Ventoux, France), all participants were enrolled in a 6 m home-based periodized HIT oriented cycling program with remote (Polar® M200 activity tracker) supervision. Hereafter, POST measurements were performed similar to baseline. ResultsSix months of periodized and home-based HIT oriented training induced improvements in body weight (−3%, p = 0.008), BMI (−3%, p = 0.01), total mass (−2%, p = 0.023), VO2max (+ 5%, p = 0.016), workload (+ 11%, p = 0.001), time until exhaustion (+ 14%, p = 0.001), recovery heart rate (+ 4%, p = 0.04), lactate peak (+ 16%, p = 0.03) and RER (+ 4%, p = 0.04) in MS. Furthermore, all persons with MS safely reached the top of the Mont Ventoux, except for two. ConclusionThe applied 6 m periodized, home-based and HIT-oriented cycling program provided good therapy adherence with similar improvements in exercise capacity compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, this exercise regimen trained mildly-affected persons with MS adequately to climb the Mont Ventoux.

Intensive spa and exercise therapy program for returning to work for low back pain patients: a randomized controlled trial

We aimed to determine whether a 5-day intensive inpatient spa and exercise therapy and educational program is more effective than usual care in improving the rate of returning to work at 1 year for patients with subacute and chronic low back pain (LBP) on sick leave for 4 to 24 weeks. We conducted a 12-month randomized controlled trial. LBP patients were assigned to 5-day spa (2 hr/day), exercise (30 min/day) and education (45 min/day) or to usual care. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients returning to work at 1 year after randomization. Secondary outcomes were pain, disability and health-related quality of life at 1 year and number of sick leave days from 6 to 12 months. The projected recruitment was not achieved. Only 88/700 (12.6%) patients planned were enrolled: 45 in the spa therapy group and 43 in the usual care group. At 1 year, returning to work was 56.3% versus 41.9% (OR 1.69 [95% CI 0.60–4.73], p = 0.32) respectively. There was no significant difference for any of the secondary outcomes. However, our study lacked power.

Continuous peripheral nerve catheters in pediatric complex regional pain syndrome.

Continuous peripheral nerve catheters in pediatric complex regional pain syndrome.

Cardiovascular prevention: lifestyle and statins--competitors or companions?

Favourable lifestyles promote cardiovascular protection. Exercise can induce beneficial changes in the genome that decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and increase anti-inflammatory markers. The Mediterranean dietary pattern, fortified by nuts, while not reducing weight, reduces mortality. Lifestyle changes combined with statin therapy provide potent protection against coronary heart disease, especially when used for secondary prevention after cardiovascular events. Decisions regarding the initiation of statin therapy for primary prevention are more difficult, requiring consideration of both the LDL-C level and the degree of cardiovascular risk for dyslipidaemic patients. Combining intensive exercise and statin therapy substantially reduces the mortality risk, and thus is potentially the ideal risk-reducing combination.

P129 Skeletal muscle weakness, not arterial stiffness, differs according to GOLD group in COPD

IntroductionIn the GOLD 2011 COPD classification, patients in Group D are considered to be at highest risk of mortality, due to airflow limitation and exacerbations and also to be most...

The management of acute low back pain in adults: a guide for the primary care physician

To diagnose patients with acute low back pain (LBP), a focused physical examination needs to be conducted and a detailed history obtained. The patient should then be placed into one of three broad categories, namely nonspecific LBP, pain associated with radiculopathy or spinal stenosis, or back pain potentially associated with serious organic disease. The history should include an assessment of psychosocial risk factors that predict delayed healing and progression to chronic pain. Routine imaging is not required within the first three weeks of nonspecific LBP. Imaging should be performed for patients with severe or progressive neurological deficits, or when serious underlying pathology is suspected, based on the history and the physical examination. Patients should be advised of the benign course of nonspecific LBP and that over 90% of patients recover within a few weeks. Occasionally, the pain may last for a few months. Patients should be advised to remain active and should be provided with information on effective self-care options. Usually, first-line medication options are paracetamol or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. To treat severe pain, a stronger drug approach that includes opioids may be considered, but only for a short time. Other therapies to be taken into account are spinal manipulation, intensive interdisciplinary rehabilitation, exercise therapy, massage therapy, or progressive relaxation. Spinal surgery is an option in the event of progressive neurological fallout, severe persistent pain of more than three months and patient unresponsiveness to recommended treatment, or if there is acute cauda equina syndrome.

Long-term myocardial adaptations after cardiac rehabilitation in heart failure: a randomized six-year evaluation using magnetic resonance imaging

Objective: To assess exercise capacity and left ventricular function using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) among patients with chronic heart failure randomized to a residential rehabilitation programme at baseline and six years after participation. Design: Randomized controlled study. Setting: Residential cardiac rehabilitation centre and community hospital. Intervention: One month of intensive exercise and risk reduction therapy including educational sessions, a low-fat diet, and 2 hours of individually prescribed exercise daily. Control subjects received usual care. Subjects were evaluated at baseline, after completing the one-month residential programme and six years later. Subjects: From an original study group of 50, 16 patients (8 exercise, 8 controls) with chronic heart failure were alive and available for evaluation after six years. Main measures: Cardiopulmonary exercise test responses and ventricular size and function using MRI. Results: Peak Vo2 was 20.0 and 12.4% higher after the rehabilitation programme and six years later, respectively, whereas minimal changes were observed among controls. Left ventricular mass and volumes tended to decrease among subjects in the exercise group, whereas left ventricular mass and volumes tended to increase among control subjects after six years. Ejection fraction increased approximately 20% in both groups. Conclusion: Six years after participation in a concentrated residential rehabilitation programme, exercise capacity was preserved and no significant changes were observed in ventricular size or function. These findings provide further support for exercise rehabilitation in chronic heart failure.

Effects of low intensity exercise therapy on early phase insulin secretion in overweight subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus

This study was designed to evaluate effects of exercise therapy on early phase insulin secretion in overweight subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The subjects consisted of overweight subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT, n = 10), IGT ( n = 10) and DM ( n = 10) (age: 51.1 ± 8.2, 56.3 ± 8.8 and 58.5 ± 6.2 years, respectively). All of these patients performed exercise therapy at lactate threshold intensity for 12 weeks. Before intervention, area under the glucose curve (AUC PG) was higher in DM, IGT and NGT groups, and area under the insulin curve (AUC IRI) and the early phase insulin secretion as calculated by insulinogenic index was higher in the NGT group than in either the IGT or DM groups ( p < 0.05). After exercise therapy, the insulin sensitivity, AUC PG and AUC IRI improved in three groups ( p < 0.05, respectively). The insulinogenic index increased in IGT and DM groups ( p < 0.05, respectively), but the changes in the insulinogenic index showed no significant differences between IGT and DM groups. These results suggest that the ß-cell function in subjects with IGT and DM could therefore improve after exercise therapy. Moreover, AUC PG, AUC IRI and insulin sensitivity were also improved no relation to NGT, IGT and DM.

Cost‐effectiveness of intensive exercise therapy directly following hospital discharge in patients with arthritis: Results of a randomized controlled clinical trial

To estimate the cost-utility and cost-effectiveness of a 3-week intensive exercise training (IET) program directly following hospital discharge in patients with rheumatic diseases. Patients with arthritis who were admitted to the hospital because of a disease activity flare or for elective hip or knee arthroplasty were randomly assigned to either the IET group or usual care (UC) group. Followup lasted 1 year. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were derived from Short Form 6D scores and a visual analog scale (VAS) rating personal health. Function-related outcome was measured using the Health Assessment Questionnaire, the McMaster Toronto Arthritis (MACTAR) Patient Preference Disability Questionnaire, and the Escola Paulista de Medicina Range of Motion scale (EPMROM). Costs were reported from a societal perspective. Differences in costs and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were estimated. Data from 85 patients (50 IET and 35 UC) could be used for health-economic analysis. VAS personal health-based QALYs were in favor of IET. Function-related outcome showed statistically significant improvements in favor of IET over the first 6 months, according to the MACTAR (P < 0.05) and the EPMROM (P < 0.01). At 1-year followup, IET was euro718 less per patient. The ICER showed a reduction in mean total costs per QALY. In 70% of cases the intervention was cost-saving. IET results in better quality of life at lower costs after 1 year. Thus, IET is the dominant strategy compared with UC. This highlights the need for implementation of IET after hospital discharge in patients with arthritis.

Fibromyalgie

The characteristic symptoms of fibromyalgia are chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain in various parts of the body and abnormal tenderness at 18 specified tender points. Associated symptoms often reported include stiffness, sleep disorders, fatigue, and problems with concentration. The prevalence is about 3.5% for women and 0.5% for men. The impact of the disease is considerable both for those directly affected (restriction in activities of daily living and in ability to take part in family, professional, and social life) and for society as a whole (direct and indirect costs). The disease usually has a chronic course. An abnormality of the central pain-processing mechanisms is highly relevant for the pathogenesis. In addition to early diagnosis and intensive patient education, pharmacotherapy, exercise therapy, behavior therapy, and multidisciplinary treatment are particularly important for the management of fibromyalgia.