Background: The prevalence of foot lesions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is extremely high [1]. The defeat of the joints of the foot is often observed at the stage of diagnosis. In many patients, joint damage symptoms persist even at the stage of remission [2].
Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of the customized foot insoles in patients with early RA.
Methods: 17 patients with early RA of the study group used customized foot insoles. The recommended mode of insole using was a constant wearing. The control group consisted of 12 patients. Patients of the both groups underwent drug therapy, physical exercises, occupational therapy. Foot pain on 100-mm VAS, DAS4, HAQ, RAPID3 scores and march test were evaluated at baseline and at 3,0±0,5 months.
Results: In the study group RAPID3 decreased by 30,1% (3,2±0,2, p<0,01), pain on VAS – by 52,1% (p<0,01), DAS4 – by 0,89±0,42 points (p<0,01). Also, the time of overcoming patient distance of 20 m (walking test) reduced from 13,5±1,2 sec to 11,2±0,9 sec (p<0,05). At the end of
the observation, the statistically significant differences between the study group and the control group were observed by the RAPID3 score (7,5±5,8 and 9,9±6,1, respectively) (p<0,05), foot pain on VAS (15,2±9,1 and 24,5±10,2, respectively) (p<0,05) and walking test (11,2±0,9 sec and 12,9±2,4 sec, respectively) (p<0,05). Most patients of the study group (94%) reported that they preferred to wear the customized foot insoles in daily living and physical activities. 90% of patients complied recommendations about the regime of insole wearing.
Conclusions: The wearing of the customized foot insoles reduces foot pain, improves functional status and quality of life in patients with early RA. There is a high adherence to using the foot insoles.
References: [1] Mjaavatten MD, et al. J Rheumatol 2009;36:1401–6.
[2] Landewé R, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2006;65:637–41.
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