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[Longitudinal study on the locomotor function test in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]
Zeitschrift Fur Die Gesamte Innere Medizin Und Ihre Grenzgebiete
|October 15, 1976
Summary
The Keitel locomotor functional test shows yearly variations in rheumatoid arthritis patients, not always aligning with disease progression. It is useful for assessing short-term therapy success and functional limitations.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Assessment
- Functional Mobility
Context:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management requires reliable methods to track disease progression and treatment efficacy.
- Longitudinal studies are crucial for understanding the chronic nature of RA.
- Assessing functional status is a key component of comprehensive RA care.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the utility of the Keitel locomotor functional test for longitudinal research in rheumatoid arthritis.
- To determine if the locomotor functional test can serve as a sole criterion for establishing RA progression.
- To explore the test's suitability for assessing therapeutic success and functional limitations.
Summary:
- A four-year observation of 100 rheumatoid arthritis patients examined the Keitel locomotor functional test's longitudinal evidence.
- The test demonstrated significant year-to-year variations, often independent of clinical and radiological progression.
- These fluctuations indicate the test is insufficient as the sole criterion for establishing disease progression.
Impact:
- The locomotor functional test is valuable for short-term therapy outcome assessment and objectively quantifying functional restrictions.
- It is particularly useful for expert evaluations and medico-legal assessments.
- Recommendations include integrating the locomotor functional test into functional status assessment criteria for RA.