Physiotherapists 'must treat arthritis patients quickly'
Thursday 25th November 2010
Physiotherapists must treat rheumatoid arthritis soon after it is diagnosed if the outcome is going to be positive, according to a new study.
Researchers from Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands found that patients assessed and treated soon after symptoms appeared were found to have less joint destruction and a better chance of DMARD-free disease remission.
The association between delay in seeing a physician and the rate of joint destruction and DMARD-free remission was measured during the study, published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Scientists found that early treatment dramatically improves the outcome of treatment in patients with the condition.
"Unfortunately, in the real world, the average length of time that people with rheumatoid arthritis wait before going to their GP after developing symptoms is 12 weeks - and then there is a further wait before they are referred to see a specialist and start treatment," Jane Tadman from Arthritis Research UK said.
Written by Megan Smith
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