Standardised multidisciplinary rehabilitation improves health-related quality of life and productivity costs in patients with rheumatic, musculoskeletal and other diseases

Inger Johansen; Rikke Helene Moe; Idun Eid; Hanne Ludt Fossmo; Anniken Hjellbakk Hole; Tarja Rajalahti Kvalheim; Anne Dorte Lyken; Anders Orpana; Mathyn Vervaart; Ingvild Kjeken

doi:10.1016/j.ero.2026.02.002

Standardised multidisciplinary rehabilitation improves health-related quality of life and productivity costs in patients with rheumatic, musculoskeletal and other diseases

EULAR Rheumatol Open. 2026 Feb 28;2(1):261-271. doi: 10.1016/j.ero.2026.02.002. eCollection 2026 Mar.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Health and Society, General Practice, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
² Health Services and Research Unit (EHI), REMEDY Center for Treatment of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
³ Viker Rehabilitation Centre, Hønefoss, Norway.
⁴ Vikersund Rehabilitation Centre AS, Vikersund, Norway.
⁵ Muritunet Rehabilitation Centre, Valldal, Norway.
⁶ Red Cross Haugland Rehabilitation Centre, Flekke, Norway.
⁷ Sorlandet Rehabilitation Centre AS, Eiken, Norway.
⁸ Skogli Health- and Rehabilitation Centre AS, Lillehammer, Norway.
⁹ Clinical Trial Unit, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
¹⁰ Department of Health Management and Health Economics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to assess changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and productivity costs following rehabilitation.

Methods: This prospective cohort study of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and 7 other groups collected HRQoL EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) data for 12 months and work absence data for 24 months postrehabilitation. Differences from baseline in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and productivity costs were estimated using the area-under-the-curve method and human capital approach, respectively. Results were adjusted for age, gender (biologically), and education.

Results: We included 3192 patients: mean age 53.1 years, 71% female, 42% had RMDs. HRQoL improved for all participants over 12 months, except for neurological and cancer patients. Differences in QALYs from baseline ranged from -0.014 (neurological diseases) to 0.075 (RMDs). Among 2642 employed participants, productivity costs decreased over 24 months, driven mainly by reduced sick leave (largest in cancer €18,110, smallest in neurological diseases €5747). In contrast, productivity costs for severe obesity increased by €11,614. Mean rehabilitation costs ranged from €3072 to €11,674 for cancer and neurological diseases, respectively, and were €7923 for RMDs.

Conclusions: Following rehabilitation, participants improved in HRQoL and reduced productivity costs from baseline, driven mainly by lower sick leave. Randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm the extent to which these improvements are attributable to the rehabilitation.