Utilization of Rehabilitation Services Among People With Common Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases: A Systematic Review.
Joel R Thompson, Keri Geinosky, Josh C Torrey et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review assessed rehabilitation-service use among people with common autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs), drawing on studies identified in PubMed and CINAHL through December 2023. Of 11,591 records, 86 studies were included in the final analysis, representing data from 22 countries. Reported utilization varied substantially: percentages ranged from 0% to 100%, and annual visit counts from 1 to 62.1. Physical therapy was reported and used more often than occupational therapy, while utilization was generally higher in European countries than in North America.
Key findings
- Across studies, rehabilitation utilization ranged from 0% to 100%, and annual visit counts ranged from 1 to 62.1.
- Physical therapy was more commonly reported and utilized than occupational therapy.
- Utilization rates were generally higher in European countries than in North America.
- The final analysis included 86 studies with data representing 22 countries.
Why it matters
The wide variation across diseases, countries, and reporting periods suggests rehabilitation is not consistently integrated into ARD care. Understanding where and why access differs may help identify barriers and inform more systematic and equitable approaches to rehabilitation delivery.
What to keep in mind
The review found substantial heterogeneity across studies, including differences in disease, discipline, reporting period, and country, limiting straightforward comparisons.