Abstract Background/Aims The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommends monitoring disease activity and functional status every six months to support treat-to-target (T2T) management in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Multidisciplinary rehabilitation enhances function and self-management; however, the durability of these gains after discharge remains uncertain. This audit evaluated (1) the proportion of RA patients who underwent validated functional status assessment six (±1) months post-rehabilitation, and (2) changes in outcomes versus admission and discharge. Methods Adults (≥18 years) with RA who completed a structured inpatient rehabilitation programme and were discharged ≥6 months before data collection were included. Exclusion criteria were palliative care needs, severe comorbidities preventing follow-up, relocation, or death. Functional status was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L (general health) and the Self-Arthritis Efficacy Questionnaire at admission, discharge, and six-month follow-up. Follow-up data were obtained via structured telephone survey. Engagement with community supports (e.g., ExWell, Arthritis Ireland) and adherence to home-exercise programmes were recorded. Data were analysed descriptively across time points. Results Thirty-six patients were eligible; 33 (92%) completed six-month follow-up. Missing data were 17% for EQ-5D and 19% for self-efficacy at admission, with slightly improved completeness at discharge and follow-up. Median EQ-5D scores increased from 46 (IQR 28.75) at admission to 65 (IQR 24.5) at discharge, then declined slightly to 62.5 (IQR 30) at six months. Forty-five percent of participants showed lower EQ-5D scores at follow-up versus discharge, with distribution shifting towards lower scores (skewness: -1.07). Median self-efficacy increased from 3.4 (IQR 2.5) to 7.0 (IQR 1.86) at discharge, then decreased to 5.5 (IQR 2.5) at six months; 58% reported reduced self-efficacy over this period. High adherence to home exercise (79%) and moderate engagement with support services (57%) were observed. Sustained improvements were more common among those maintaining structured exercise and community engagement. Conclusion Significant gains in quality of life and self-efficacy were achieved following inpatient rehabilitation, but nearly half of participants demonstrated some decline within six months post-discharge. Median scores remained above baseline, indicating overall improvement but partial loss of benefit over time. Continued engagement in exercise and community supports appeared crucial to maintaining outcomes. Findings underscore the need for structured follow-up, ongoing assessment, and extended rehabilitation support to preserve functional gains in RA. Disclosure N.A. Md Isa: None. G. Ola: None. C. Hughes: Consultancies; Joint supervisor. C. Kirby: Consultancies; Joint supervisor.
Isa et al. (Wed,) studied this question.