Full Papers
To what extent is foot pain related to biomechanical changes and ultrasound-detected abnormalities in rheumatoid arthritis?
M.L. González-Fernández1, L. Valor2, R. Morales-Lozano3, D. Hernández-Flórez4, F.J. López-Longo5, D. Martínez6, C.M. González7, I. Monteagudo8, J. Martínez-Barrio9, J. Garrido10, E. Naredo11
- University Podiatry Clinic, Faculty of E.F. Podiatry Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain. lvalor.hgugm@salud.madrid.org
- University Podiatry Clinic, Faculty of E.F. Podiatry Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Social Psychology and Methodology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
CER8792
2016 Vol.34, N°3
PI 0480, PF 0488
Full Papers
Free to view
(click on article PDF icon to read the article)
PMID: 27050868 [PubMed]
Received: 20/07/2015
Accepted : 11/12/2015
In Press: 06/04/2016
Published: 30/05/2016
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the presence of biomechanical abnormalities and ultrasound (US)-detected inflammation and damage in low disease or remission status rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with foot complaints.
METHODS:
We recruited 136 subjects with foot complaints. Sixty-two were biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug-treated RA patients presenting Disease Activity Score-determined remission or low disease activity while the remaining 74 were gender matched controls without rheumatic or musculoskeletal disorders. Both groups underwent a comprehensive podiatric, biomechanical and B-mode and Doppler US assessment of the feet.
RESULTS:
Most RA patients and controls were female (77.4% and 83.8%, respectively). There was no statistical difference in the proportion of obese subjects in either group (p=0.792). Inappropriate shoes were used by 50.0% of RA patients and 33.8% of controls (p=0.080). Talalgia, particularly heel pain, was more frequent in the control group, with associated talalgia and metatarsalgia being more prevalent in the RA group (p<0.05). The RA patient group was also more likely to present greater foot deformity, more limited joint movement and biomechanical abnormalities than the controls (p<0.05). US inflammatory and structural changes were significantly more frequent in RA patients than in controls (p<0.05). US structural involvement was significantly associated with limited joint mobility and pathologic biomechanical tests only in RA patients (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
RA foot complaints seemed to be linked to US-detected RA involvement and biomechanical abnormalities. Podiatric and US assessments can be useful to help the clinician to optimise the management of RA patients in remission/low disease activity with foot complaints.