Utvärdering av en behandlingsperiod i varmt klimat för personer med pelvospondylit
Purpose: To evaluate how a treatment period on four weeks in a warm climate influences physical function, condition and the patient's experience of the climate effect of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Method: 10 persons with a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis went through four weeks of treatment on Centro Forestal Sueco, Marbella. The treatment consisted of both physical and theoretic lessons given of a rehabilitation team. All patients were examinated measured for physical function and condition before treatment, after two weeks and at the end of the treatment. To measure physical function, Timed-Stands Test, Timed Get Up and Go, The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, Index of muscle function and functionestimitation of shoulder/arm were used. To measure columnamobility myrin measurement and measuring-tape were used. A two kilometers walking test was used to measure the condition. To measure the patient?s experience of the impact of the climate, a questionnaire formed by the authors, was used. Results: Improvements could be seen in the result of measurements of physical function and condition. Eighty percent of the patients claimed that their symptoms are influenced by the weather. Conclusions: After these four weeks of treatment in a warm climate, physical function and condition increased general. It could depend on the warm climate, group exercise or meeting other patients with similar problems. It´s difficult to say what factor it most depends on or if it is the entire concept. There is a need of studies with a control group in this field, both to evaluate the impact of the climate and to evaluate the measure methods for patients with ankylosing spondylitis.