Abstract

A cross-sectional study on the frequency of foot complaints and how they relate to the disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Author(s): Espen A. Haavardsholm

Aim

Foot and ankle joints are among the joints estimated in Rheumatoid Arthritis( RA), but not for the computation of Disease Activity Score- 28( DAS28). The end of the study is to estimate the frequence of bottom complaints in RA cases and to probe the relationship between DAS28 and bottom complaints and functional statuses.

Methods

DAS28( with Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate), Health Assessment Questionnaire( HAQ), bottom Function indicator( FFI), bottom Function Index Pain subscale( FPI), bottom Function Index Deficiency subscale( FDI), bottom Function indicator Limitation subscale( FLI), 6- cadence( mt) walking time, Visual Analog Scale( VAS) are used to probe the relationship between DAS28 and other indicator and scales.

Results

103 cases with RA are included in the study.91.3 of the cases are womanish and8.7 are manly. 66 of the cases have bottom and ankle complaints and 34 have no complaints. It's observed that DAS28 is identified appreciatively with VAS independently. In addition, it's observed that FFI is identified appreciatively with duration of complaint( p = 0.015, r = 0.226), body mass indicator( p = 0.002, r = 0.292), VAS( p=0.001, r = 0.639), HAQ( p=0.001, r = 0.376), 6 mt walking time( p=0.001, r = 0.551) and the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate( p=0.001, r = 0.247).

Conclusion

Bottom complaints in cases with RA are seen at high rates. Despite the extent of the problem, the rheumatoid bottom is neglected. Cases with bottom complaints are more likely to have advanced seditious situations and have further functional limitations. The DAS28 score can also be used for follow- up in cases with bottom complaints. In addition, bottom complaints must be questioned and clinical and functional follow- up should be done. FFI and subscores can be used in assessing and following bottom complaints in cases with RA.