Opportunities and challenges in rheumatology research in Central Europe.

The Central European Congress of Rheumatology (CECR) has been organized by seven Central European countries: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. These countries have lots of similarities, but also differences, with respect to rheumatology research. In this paper, based on questionnaires, we wish to demonstrate achievements and difficulties in rheumatology research performed in our region.

[Helping reintegration of patients suffering from chronic musculoskeletal diseases with decreased working ability in the National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, Budapest, Hungary].

Introduction: An important task of our institute is to support social reintegration: including occupational rehabilitation of patients suffering from chronic musculoskeletal diseases with decreased working ability.

Aim: The aim of the authors was to provide informations of their daily practice, how they perform patient education, giving information for their patients about their disease, the rehabilitation possibilities, how they support the patients with decreased working ability to take part in their own rehabilitation.

Method: Patients taking part in in-patient rehabilitation received teaching and education about their disease and rehabilitation options in groups.

[Survey of quality of life of rheumatoid arthritis patients admitted to rehabilitation centres in Hungary].

Introduction: There are limited data about the quality of life of rheumatoid arthritis patients admitted to rehabilitation centres in Hungary.

Aim: The aim of the authors was to assess demographic data, social status, health related quality of life, and needs for assistance and disease-related information of 239 rheumatoid arthritis patients (169 women and 7 men) admitted to four rehabilitation centres in Hungary.

Method: For the assessment of demographic, social and other data the authors developed questionnaires.

[Quality of life of osteoporotic patients treated in rheumatology rehabilitation in-patient units].

Unlabelled: There has been no report on demographic, social and quality of life data of osteoporotic patients attending rheumatology rehabilitation in-patient units in Hungary.

Aim: The authors analyzed the data of osteoporotic patients treated in rheumatology rehabilitation departments as in-patients in four hospitals in Hungary.

Methods: Demographic and social data were obtained by using a questionnaire developed by the authors, and quality of life was assessed with the use of the SF-36 questionnaire.