Functionality assessment in patients with rheumatic diseases undergoing treatment in the Public Health System

To evaluate the therapeutic response (functionality) and its associated factors in patients on biological drugs on the Public Health System for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

An open prospective cohort was carried out from 2011 to 2019, in Belo Horizonte (MG). Functionality was assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability-Index at baseline, and after 6 and 12 months of follow-up. Factors associated with poor functionality were identified through logistic regression.

The median Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability-Index at baseline was 1.5 (interquartile range of 0.8-1.9), with poor functionality observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Improved functionality was seen at 6 months of treatment for the three diseases. The predictors of poor functionality at 6 months for psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis were female sex, low education levels, and high disease activity; and for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis were female sex, advanced age, and high disease activity. In 12 months, the three diseases had predictors of worse functionality: female sex, low education, and high disease activity.

There was a significant improvement in functionality during the follow-up, with better response at 6 months of treatment. Poor functionality was observed in older, female patients, with low education and high disease activity.