Recovering from Stroke More Difficult for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

People with rheumatoid arthritis who have had a stroke have lower functional ability than stroke patients who don't have arthritis. According to researchers from University Texas Medical Branch, a study was designed to see whether swelling and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis affects stroke rehabilitation.

The researchers reviewed records of 47,853 stroke patients who had inpatient stoke rehabilitation between 1994 and 2001. Of that group, 368 had rheumatoid arthritis, and 119 had lupus. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis had lower FIM (Functional Independence Measures) than patients without rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Researchers intend to further study whether an outpatient therapy program would be helpful after the stroke patient is discharged from inpatient rehabilitation.

Related Resources:

• Physical Therapy Goals for Arthritis Patients
• Mobility Aids - What You Need to Know
• Assistive Devices for Arthritis Patients
• How Is Physical Function Assessed?

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