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Biomedical subjects

M Brattström

Publications and source records attributed to M Brattström.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

A problem-based education program for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: evaluation after three and twelve months.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate the effect of a new arthritis education program based on a previous study. METHODS: One hundred individuals with established rheumatoid arthritis randomized to an intervention group or a control group completed self-report questionnaires. RESULTS: Three months after the education program the patients in the intervention group had increased their knowledge about their disease. They reported increased practice of exercise and joint protection and reduction of disability and pain. After 12 months, increased knowledge and practice of joint protection was maintained. However, there was no longer any difference between the intervention group and the control group regarding reported pain, disability, and practice of exercise. At both intervals the individuals in the intervention group reported an increased ability to handle their pain and a reduction of problems with their disease. The control group remained stable except for a slight increase in pain. CONCLUSION: A structured patient education program had positive impact for 3 months, and some improvements were maintained for 12 months. We suggest that patient education should become an integrated part of the total management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1989

Chronic arthritis. Prevalence, severity and distribution between primary care and referral centres in a defined rural population.

By a simple self-administered hand test, hand handicap was revealed in 689 out of a population of 5262 individuals aged 40-70 years. Subsequent medical examination showed inflammatory hand disease in 119, 67 of whom had previously been in contact with the public health service at some level because of hand dysfunction. These 67 patients formed the material for our study, whose purpose was to analyse the distribution, treatment and follow-up of patients with inflammatory joint disease on different health care levels. In primary health care, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was found to be underreported. For half the cases the interval between onset of disease and assessment by a rheumatologist exceeded 5 years, and follow-ups were few and far between. In the referral centres, RA cases were dealt with more adequately. The prevalence of definite and probable RA was found to be 0.7 and 0.4%, respectively.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Evaluation of the rheumatoid shoulder function after hemiarthroplasty and arthrodesis.

Rheumatoid arthritis frequently involves the shoulder. In the advanced stages of the disease the preferred treatment has been either arthroplasty or arthrodesis. The functional results of five shoulder arthrodeses have been compared with five hemiarthroplasties. The period of postoperative immobilization was shorter for hemiarthroplasty; both procedures relieved pain, but personal hygiene was easier to manage after hemiarthroplasty. Shoulder arthrodesis with a fixed internal rotation greater than 40 degrees makes it impossible to reach the face and the optimal position would seem to be 20-30 degrees of abduction. 20-30 degrees flexion and 20-30 degrees internal rotation.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1988

Individually adapted lightweight walking aids with moulded handles for patients with severely deforming chronic arthritis.

Patients with severely deforming rheumatoid arthritis and impaired function of the upper extremity are often unable to use conventional walking aids. This report describes 42 such patients who were equipped with altogether 75 individually manufactured, lightweight walking aids (12 crutches, 12 forearm-crutches, 39 crutch-sticks and 12 sticks). A plaster cast of the patient's grip as well as analysis of the integrated function of the shoulder-elbow-wrist was used when preparing the walking aid. It was thereby possible to produce suitable walking aids for all but one patient. At follow-up after 12-18 months, of use, most patients belonging to functional classes II and III were satisfied with their walking aid(s) and 22 considered it/them indispensable. However, in 4 patients, progressive disease with increased disease activity/deteriorating hand function and in 3 patients increasing shoulder pain reduced their usability. Lack of motivation was one reason for low use intensity. Follow-up demonstrated that most patients were able to use these walking aids without detectable negative effects on the upper extremity. The durability of the walking aid was satisfactory. Thus an individually moulded handle on an adapted lightweight walking aid is important helping patients with severely deforming arthritis to maintain independent ambulation, and should be made more widely obtainable.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1986

[Principles of joint protection in inflammatory joint disease with special reference to biomechanical status].

With respect to rehabilitation in inflammatory joint diseases, the activity of the disease, the influence of the disease on the physical ability and social and psychological situation of the patient should all be taken into consideration and treatment then planned accordingly. In the present article, special attention is paid to the biomechanical situation in the diseased joints of the upper and lower extremities, respectively. In the shoulder and elbow joints, the muscles working with long levers and the loading of joints create large intra-articular forces. In the hands the vulnerable joints are under high intra-articular stress because of loading in all situations in daily life. As the result of synovitis and destruction of cartilage, instability is often present. In the lower extremities, the hips and knees are under great strain when moving, rising from chairs, and walking on stairs. Much can be done to reduce loading on the joints. In the upper extremities splinting and the use of suitable technical aids are essential. In the lower extremities good quadriceps muscles and hip extensor muscles as well as correct loading techniques are essential. Whenever walking aids are used, they should be tried out with attention to grip function and the condition of the shoulder and elbow joints, as well as to the need of unloading the lower extremities. A walking aid should always be checked again later. A daily contracture prophylaxis program should help to prevent deformities. Strength training should be performed with attention to the intra-articular loading and stability of the joints.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1986

[Social and psychological consequences of inflammatory joint diseases].

The treatment of rheumatic disease should take into consideration the changing roles in life and be planned according to the patient's social and psychological situation. Education of the arthritic patient is important for adequate coping with the problems of the disease.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1981

The rheumatoid patient in need of a wheelchair.

The situation of 40 severely disabled arthritic patients who have received a wheelchair is reported. Most of the patients had had their rheumatoid arthritis for more than 15 years. Knee involvement was frequently the reason for needing a wheelchair. Most of the patients had general joint involvement. Orthopedic- or handsurgery as well as proper technical aids and a well adapted housing facilitated the maintenance of functional capacity. Wheelchairs with big wheels back, seat higher than normal, raisable and removable leg rests, neck-support and elongated brake handle will satisfy most patients. In our series most complaint was reported regarding back support and front wheels. The majority of the patients had an optimistic attitude to their situation. Eighteen of the 40 patients regretted not having accepted a wheelchair earlier.

Activities of Daily Living↗