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Randomized Comparison of a Multidisciplinary Team Care Program With Usual Care in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Jaap Van Laar

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Abstract

Objective. To compare the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary team care program with usual outpatient care in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma). Methods. We performed a randomized controlled trial comparing a 12-week multidisciplinary team care program (1 day per week; individual treatments, group exercises, and group education) with outpatient clinic care. Outcome measures included the Hand Mobility in Scleroderma (HAMIS) test, grip strength, maximal mouth opening (MMO), 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), maximum aerobic capacity (Vo(2max)), Checklist Individual Strength 20 (CIS-20), SSc Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and Short Form 36 (SF-36), assessed at 0, 12, and 24 weeks. Statistical comparisons of change scores were done by analysis of covariance. Results. Twenty-eight patients were assigned to the intervention group (mean age 53.9 years, 15 of 28 with diffuse SSc) and 25 were assigned to the control group (mean age 51.7 years, 15 of 25 with diffuse SSc). Twenty-five patients (89%) in the intervention group completed the treatment program. At 12 weeks, there was a significantly greater improvement in grip strength (2.2 versus -1.8 kg; P = 0.001), MMO (1.4 versus -0.9 mm; P = 0.011), 6MWD (42.8 versus 3.9 meters; P = 0.021), and HAQ score (-0.18 versus 0.13; P = 0.025) in the intervention group, whereas differences for the other outcome measures did not reach significance. At 24 weeks, the effect on grip strength persisted. Conclusion. In patients with SSc, a 12-week multidisciplinary day patient treatment program was more effective than regular outpatient care with respect to 6MWD, grip strength, MMO, and HAQ score, but not for Vo(2max), HAMIS test, CIS-20, SF-36, and visual analog scale for pain. This study provides a first step in quantifying the effect of a multidisciplinary team care program and warrants the conduct of further intervention studies.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Schouffoer AA, Ninaber MK, Beaart-van de Voorde LJJ, van der Giesen FJ, de Jong Z, Stolk J, Voskuyl AE, Scherptong RWC, van Laar JM, Schuerwegh AJM, Huizinga TWJ, Vlieland TPMV

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Arthritis Care & Research

Year: 2011

Volume: 63

Issue: 6

Pages: 909-917

Print publication date: 31/05/2011

ISSN (print): 2151-464X

ISSN (electronic): 2151-4658

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/acr.20448

DOI: 10.1002/acr.20448

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