%0 Journal Article
%T Factors predicting the outcome of customised foot orthoses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective cohort study
%A Marike van der Leeden
%A Karin Fiedler
%A Annelies Jonkman
%A Rutger Dahmen
%A Leo D Roorda
%A Dirkjan van Schaardenburg
%A Joost Dekker
%J Journal of Foot and Ankle Research
%D 2011
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1757-1146-4-8
%X A total of 135 RA patients who were supplied with customised foot orthoses were included in this prospective cohort study. Pain and disability were measured before and after the intervention period using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for foot pain, the Foot Function Index (FFI), the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and a 10-meter walking test. The intervention period consisted of one or more appointments with the podiatrist during which the foot orthoses were customised.Swollen foot joint count, foot deformity scores, forefoot peak pressure, disease duration, age, gender, body mass index and baseline values of the outcome measures were selected as potential factors predicting outcome. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with change in pain and disability (at P < 0.05).Disease duration was negatively associated with the change scores in NRS foot pain (P = 0.018), WOMAC pain (P = 0.001), FFI disability (P = 0.003) and WOMAC physical function (P = 0.002). Age was negatively associated with the change score in 10 meter walking time (P = 0.008). For all outcome measures baseline values were positively associated with the change scores (P < 0.001).Shorter disease duration predicted greater improvements in self-reported foot pain and disability, and younger age predicted greater improvements in walking time after intervention with foot orthoses. Also, higher baseline values of pain and disability predicted greater improvements. Referral for conservative management with foot orthoses in the early stage of RA seems important when aiming to achieve reduction in pain and improvement in daily activities.Throughout the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) foot problems appear to be highly prevalent [1-5], most often causing pain during weight bearing activities such as standing, walking and running [4,6]. The primary management of RA-related foot problems is pharmacological, although conserva
%U http://www.jfootankleres.com/content/4/1/8