The Importance of Foot Function Assessment Using the Foot Function Index-Revised Short Form (FFI-RS) Questionnaire in the Comprehensive Treatment of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Background. Foot problems may have a substantial negative impact on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients’ mobility. They affect walking and the functional capacity to perform daily tasks. Methods. This study included 61 patients with RA and foot pain or swelling. The study group comprised 37 patients (aged 54.3 ± 9.5 years) with foot lesions, as demonstrated in an ultrasound, and the control group comprised 24 patients (aged 57.3 ± 11.5 years) without foot lesions. The patients’ health statuses were evaluated with the Foot Function Index-Revised Short Form (FFI-RS), the Polish version of the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28). Results. The FFI-RS showed significant differences between the study and control groups in total results, as well as in the pain and stiffness subscales. Subsequent analyses showed numerous significant correlations. The FFI-RS total results correlated with the HAQ’s standing up, walking, and total results. The FFI-RS pain results correlated with the social issues and HAQ’s total results. The FFI-RS difficulty results correlated with the disease’s duration. In the study group, there were significant correlations of the FFI-RS stiffness, difficulty, and social issues results with the HAQ’s standing up, walking, and total results, and also of the FFI-RS activity limitation results with the HAQ’s standing up results. In the control group, there were correlations of the FFI-RS stiffness, difficulty, and activity limitation results with the HAQ’s walking and total results. Finally, in the study group, we also found correlations of the FFI-RS total, pain, stiffness, difficulty, and social issues results with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) results, as well as of the FFI-RS total results with the DAS 28 results. Conclusions. The FFI-RS is an effective tool for assessing RA patients’ functional status and can be used to evaluate treatment effects. The FFI-RS detected RA-related changes in the foot joint function in patients without foot lesions, as assessed by ultrasound.

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Technique versus Static Stretching in Patients with Pronated Dominant Foot: A Comparison in Effectiveness on Flexibility, Foot Posture, Foot Function Index, and Dynamic Balance

“…The foot function index questionnaire consists of 23 self-reported items classified into three sections depending on patient score: Pain, disability, and activity limitation. It comprises nine questions marked from 0 (equal to no pain or difficulty) to 10 (corresponding to the greatest agony conceivable or so tough that assistance was required) that best illustrate foot function throughout the past week [ 11 , 15 ].…”

“…This tool has been examined throughout time, and its measurements have been modified, as it has been often used to monitor different outcomes by many researchers. It comprises nine questions marked from 0 (equal to no pain or difficulty) to 10 (corresponding to the greatest agony conceivable or so tough that assistance was required) that best illustrate foot function throughout the past week [ 11 ]. The present study was designed to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of IASTM and static stretching in patients with a flexible pronated foot.…”

Predicting physical activity and sarcopenia‐related health outcomes in women with rheumatoid arthritis: A test of the self‐determination theory

“…However, future studies assessing PA and health outcomes in people with RA need to use a model that includes disability. Another limitation of our study is that the DAS28, although an extremely useful tool to evaluate disease activity and treatment response in RA, does not allow for a complete assessment of lower limb strength because it does not consider the feet and ankles (Erdem & Kanar, 2023; Rutkowski et al, 2022). In addition, the path model used a cross‐sectional design, which limits inferences regarding causality.…”