Functional and psychosocial consequences of disease and experience of pain and exertion in a group of rheumatic patients considered for active training. Result of a survey in Bollnäs Medical District. I.

The purpose of this study was to select and describe a group of RA patients within a defined area who had, on clinical grounds, been considered for active training. The material consisted of 69 patients with classical or definite RA. It comprised half of the RA patients known to the clinic. The patients were assessed by means of a questionnaire, functional tests with rating of activity-induced pain, a cycling-test with rating of perceived exertion, and an interview by a psychologist. Subjective disease consequences were pain and stiffness. 38% of the patients never or seldom exercised. 72% wished to increase their activity but were prevented by pain. The functional tests indicated slow performance and considerable pain in activities of daily life. The interview disclosed above all, a low degree of self-confidence. Generalized pain and functional impairment correlated slightly with psychosocial factors. The results of the study indicate the need for active training as one strategy to alleviate pain and to maintain functional capacity in RA patients.