To describe disease development and occupational therapy during the first 10 years of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to assess patients' experiences of occupational therapy and comprehensive care.
A total of 168 early RA patients with variable disease severity were followed up with regular team visits. The occupational therapist evaluated hand function and activity and performed the necessary interventions. These were recorded and the number of visits generating interventions was calculated. Semi-structured interview of 11 patients regarding their views of occupational therapy and team contact was performed.
Impairments of hand function were in general mild to moderate and remained fairly unchanged over time. Activity limitations increased slowly. Half of the follow-up visits generated interventions. Most common were prescriptions of assistive devices and orthoses, hand-training instructions and patient education. The patients interviewed were positive regarding occupational therapy and felt safe with comprehensive care.
RA patients in all stages of the disease benefit from regular contact with an occupational therapist and team care.