Phototherapy Induces an Improvement in Clinical and Biochemical Scores in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
West Indian med. j
;
69(1): 21-25, 2021. tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: biblio-1341868
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Objective:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease for which there is no known cure. Ultraviolet light can induce immunosuppressive effects. Our main objective was to ascertain whether a complementary treatment with phototherapy would improve changes in functional scales in patients with RA.Methods:
Seven women with RA were enrolled for this study and submitted to phototherapy sessions with a 425-650 nm lamp.Results:
The Karnofsky scale changed from requiring frequent medical care to being capable of normal activity with few symptoms or signs of disease (p = 0.018), the rheumatoid arthritis-specific quality of life questionnaire decreased abruptly from 29 to 0 points (p = 0.018), the Steinbrocker functional capacity rating changed from limited to little or none of the duties of usual occupation or self-care to complete ability to carry out all the usual duties without handicaps (p = 0.017). The pain was remitted after the treatment period. The acute inflammation variables showed a significant decrease after the indicated sessions, C-reactive protein (p = 0.042) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.018).Conclusion:
The evaluated scales clearly show a benefit with the phototherapy in patients with RA. Thus, phototherapy seems to be a plausible complementary option to reduce the symptoms of RA.
Full text:
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Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Phototherapy
/
Arthritis, Rheumatoid
Type of study:
Observational study
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
West Indian med. j
Journal subject:
Medicine
Year:
2021
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Mexico
Institution/Affiliation country:
Health Institute of the State of Mexico/MX
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