Background Gout is a type of arthritis caused by the formation of uric acid crystals within or around the joints. It is the most common type of inflammation arthritis for people over 40.

For some of the patients, the leading symptoms are pain and stiffness in the joints, while others develop heavy joint deformations and permanent disabilities. Applying a complex rehabilitation approach with rheumatologic aid and a physio-rehabilitation program significantly improves the condition of the patients with gouty arthritis, the strength of their symptoms diminishes, and becoming handicapped is avoided or significantly delayed.

Objectives The aim of this study is to measure the effect of conducting a complex drug treatment combined with a physio-rehabilitation program in patients with gouty arthritis in an acute or chronic stage that heavily affects the musculoskeletal system.

Methods Between 2013 and 2015, 39 patients with gouty arthritis were hospitalized and treated at the Rheumatology Ward at UMHAT “Dr. Georgi Stranski” – Pleven. 26 of them were male and 13 female, aged between 43 and 62 years old, in subacute or chronic stage (SUE <25 mm, fibrinogen and CRP at relevant values, AST and RF (−).

In addition to the drug therapy with analgesics, NSAIDs and chondoprotectors, uricoinhibitors and urikoeliminators during the non-paroxysmal period, the patients also undergo a complex physical and rehabilitation program consisting of: electrotherapy (magnetic field, mid-frequency currents and ultrasound therapy with NSAIDs, therapeutic massages, cryotherapy, active methods of kinesitherapy and occupational therapy.

Functional tests and measurements – VAS for the pain, a daily activities life test (DAL) and complex functional assessment test (CFA) – were made for the purpose of the study at the beginning and at the end of the observed period.

Results An individual file was created for every patient where the results from the tests and measurements are stored in order to track the patient's condition over the course of treatment. The treatment consists of 3 stages: a period in the Rheumatology ward, treatment in the Medical Rehabilitation ward and ambulatory physio-rehabilitation courses.

Conducting physiotherapeutic treatment for patients with gouty arthritis in an acute or chronic stage complements the drug treatment and leads to faster relief of the symptoms during an acute stage, decreases the timeframe of the temporary inability to work, prevents any permanent damage to the affected joints and prevents the occurrence of permanent disabilities.

Conclusions For patients with gouty arthritis in an acute or chronic stage that heavily affects the musculoskeletal system, the complex physio-rehabilitational and rheumathological treatment is effective and leads to a significant improvement in the quality of life of the patients.

Disclosure of Interest None declared