To investigate the effect of knee arthroscopic synovectomy (AS) on the disease activity, quality-of-life (QoL), and the functional status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the outcomes of AS performed on 138 RA patients; pre-surgery assessments were done using Disease Activity score (DAS 28) and Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data З (RAPID-3) on а multidimensional health-assessment questionnaire for disease activity, EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) and the Short-Form Medical Outcomes Study (SF-36) for quality of life, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) for functional status. The pain response to SA was measured by а visual analogue score (VAS) and the Knee Society Score (KSS).
All parameters assessed in the study showed significant positive changes: the activity of the disease decreased, and patients' functional status and QoL improved.
AS is effective treatment for recurrent synovitis of the knee in RA patients. This technique improves the functional status of patients and their quality of life and reduces the activity of the disease.