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Background: Foot problems are common in adults with inflammatory arthritis and therapeutic footwear can be effective in managing arthritic foot problems. Accessing appropriate footwear has been identified as a major barrier, resulting in poor adherence to treatment plans involving footwear. Indeed, previous New Zealand based studies found that many people with rheumatoid arthritis and gout wore inappropriate footwear. However, these studies were conducted in a single teaching hospital during the New Zealand summer therefore the findings may not be representative of footwear styles worn elsewhere in New Zealand, or reflect the potential influence of seasonal climate changes. The aim of the study was to evaluate seasonal variations in footwear habits of people with inflammatory arthritic conditions in New Zealand. Methods: A cross-sectional study design using a web-based survey. The survey questions were designed to elicit demographic and clinical information, features of importance when choosing footwear and seasonal footwear habits, including questions related to the provision of therapeutic footwear/orthoses and footwear experiences.

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with higher risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease, including peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The aim of this study was to measure lower limb vascular characteristics (indicative of PAD), using non-invasive chairside testing methods, in people with RA compared to matched controls, and to determine the association between vascular characteristics and gait velocity as a measure of functional capacity in people with RA.Methods: This was a cross-sectional pilot study which measured lower limb vascular characteristics (bilateral continuous wave Doppler, toe brachial index [TBI] and ankle brachial index [ABI]) and gait velocity (6-m walk test) in people with RA and controls.Differences in vascular characteristics between groups were determined using linear regression models, and associations between vascular characteristics and gait were determined using logistic regression models.Results: Seventy-two participants were included: 34 participants with RA mean disease duration 26.2 (SD 12.1) and 38 age-and sex-matched controls. The control group contained 30 females (79%), and the RA group had 28 females (82%). There were no significant differences between the RA and control groups for lower limb vascular characteristics. People with RA walked significantly slower compared to controls (1.10 m/s vs 0.91 m/s, P < .001). People with RA who had abnormal TBI, or abnormal qualitative Doppler walked significantly slower compared to those with normal TBI (0.86 m/s vs 0.95 m/s, P = .043 and 0.81 m/s, vs 0.93 m/s, P = .028). There was no significant association between ABI and gait velocity.Conclusion: This study did not identify different lower limb vascular characteristics in people with RA compared to matched controls. However, in people with RA, abnormal Doppler and TBI results are associated with slower walking velocity.

BackgroundPostural stability can be measured in clinical and research settings using portable plantar pressure systems. People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have decreased postural stability compared to non-RA populations and impaired postural stability is associated with falls in people with RA. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate the reliability of the TekScan MatScan® system in assessing postural stability in people with RA.MethodsTwenty three participants with RA, mean (SD) age 69.74 (10.1) years, were assessed in barefoot double-limb quiet standing, with eyes open and eyes closed, for antero-posterior and medio-lateral postural sway values. Three repetitions, at a sampling frequency of 40 Hz, were recorded for each test condition to obtain a mean value. Measurements were repeated one hour later. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to determine between-session reliability. Measurement error was assessed through the calculation of the standard error of the measurement (SEM) and the smallest real difference (SRD).ResultsThe system displayed good to excellent reliability for antero-posterior and medio-lateral sway, with eyes open and closed, as indicated by ICC values ranging from 0.84 to 0.92. Measurement error, as evidenced by the SEM, ranged from 1.27 to 2.35 mm. The degree of change required to exceed the expected trial to trial variability was relatively high, compared to mean values, with SRD ranging from 3.08 to 5.71 mm.ConclusionsThe portability and ease of use of the TekScan MatScan® makes it a useful tool for the measurement of postural stability in clinical and research settings. The TekScan MatScan® system can reliably measure double-limb quiet standing in older people, aged 60 to 80 years, with RA.

BackgroundPeople with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of falls. The foot is a common site of pathology in RA and foot problems are reported in up to 90 % of patients with established disease. The aim of this study was to determine whether foot and ankle characteristics are associated with falls in people with RA.MethodsAdults with RA were recruited from rheumatology outpatient clinics in Auckland, New Zealand. Participants reported whether they had fallen in the preceding year, and the number of falls. Clinical characteristics, common fall risk factors, and foot and ankle variables were measured. Univariate parametric and non-parametric analysis compared fallers and non-fallers on all variables to determine significant differences. Logistic regression analysis identified variables independently associated with falls.ResultsTwo hundred and one participants were prospectively recruited. At least one fall in the preceding 12-months was reported by 119 (59 %) participants. Univariate analysis showed that fallers had significantly longer mean disease duration, more co-morbid conditions, an increase in lower limb tender joints, higher midfoot peak plantar pressures and were more likely to have a history of vascular disease than non-fallers. Fallers also reported greater difficulty with activities of daily living, increased fear of falling and greater self-reported foot impairment. Logistic regression analysis revealed that increased midfoot peak plantar pressures (odds ratio (OR) 1.12 [for each 20 kPa increase], 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.00-1.25), self-reported foot impairment (OR 1.17 [for each three point increase], 95 % CI 1.05-1.31) and history of vascular disease (OR 3.22, 95 % CI 1.17-8.88) were independently associated with a fall in the preceding 12 months.ConclusionsElevated midfoot peak plantar pressures, self-reported foot impairment and vascular disease are associated with falls in people with RA. Assessment of foot deformity, foot function and self-reported foot impairment may be of benefit when considering falls prevention strategies in people with RA.Trial registrationAustralia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (trial ACTRN12612000597897).

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