A retrospective monocentric analysis published in 'Zeitschrift fur Rheumatologie' proved the efficacy of Multimodal rheumatologic complex treatment (MRCT) concerning the inpatient treatment period in a large cohort of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Multimodal rheumatologic complex treatment (MRCT, operation and procedures classification system, OPS code 8-983) is a particular concept of acute inpatient care (DRG I97Z) for treatment of patients suffering from rheumatic diseases, degenerative diseases and/or chronic pain syndromes having exacerbated pain and functional impairment.

Klemm P et al. performed a monocentric retrospective analysis of the effects of MRCT on pain and functional status in patients with RA. Overall, 103 treatment episodes in 75 patients with proven RA who received MRCT between 2014 - 2017 were involved in the analysis. Before and after the MRCT episodes, changes in pain intensity were estimated via a numerical rating scale (NRS), the functional limitations as assessed by the Hanover function questionnaire (FFbH) and the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) and the disease activity (disease activity score of 28 joints, DAS28) before and after MRCT episodes. Also, the patient characteristics and course of the disease were documented. Univariate analysis of the influence of these factors on the parameters activity and function was done.

As a consequence, the MRCT resulted in significant pain improvement, a substantial increase of functional capacity and a considerable reduction of disease activity in RA patients. The various aspects of the disease and its previous course (for instance the disease duration, type and number of previous anti-rheumatic drugs, current medication) did not significantly affect the response.
Klemm P et al. deduced that this treatment concept not only improved pain and function (FFbH) but also significantly decreased the disease activity.