[Treatment of rheumatic patients in a warm climate abroad]

Adult rheumatic and psoriatic patients in Norway have been offered state-funded treatment in a warm climate since 1976. The offer has since then been extended to other patient groups with chronic diseases. We here present a program, which mainly consists of intensive physical treatment in a warm, sunny and dry climate, for adults with chronic rheumatic disease. The article is based on available statistics and literature found by searching Medline, PubMed and Cochrane. Patients are selected for the program according to diagnosis, physical function and disease severity and activity. The majority of the patients have rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis. The treatment is demanding and is not suitable for all. There are two closing dates for applications, 1. October and 1. February.