Predicting Outcomes of Custom Foot Orthoses in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Marike van der Leeden, Karin Fiedler, Annelies Jonkman, Rutger Dahmen, Leo D Roorda, Dirkjan van Schaardenburg, Joost Dekker
Primary Institution: Reade, Centre for Rehabilitation and Rheumatology
Hypothesis
What clinical and demographic factors predict the outcome of customised foot orthoses on pain and disability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis?
Conclusion
Shorter disease duration and younger age are associated with greater improvements in pain and walking ability after using foot orthoses.
Supporting Evidence
- Shorter disease duration predicted greater improvements in self-reported foot pain and disability.
- Younger age predicted greater improvements in walking time after intervention with foot orthoses.
- Higher baseline values of pain and disability predicted greater improvements.
Takeaway
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, getting special shoe inserts early on can help reduce foot pain and make it easier to walk.
Methodology
This was a prospective cohort study involving 135 RA patients who received customised foot orthoses, with pain and disability measured before and after the intervention.
Potential Biases
Indication bias may have influenced the referral for foot orthoses based on foot-related factors.
Limitations
The study did not include a control group and lacked detailed information on wearing time of the foot orthoses.
Participant Demographics
{"gender":{"females":95,"males":31},"mean_age":54.9,"mean_BMI":25.5,"median_disease_duration":3.5}
Statistical Information
P-Value
{"NRS_foot_pain":0.018,"WOMAC_pain":0.001,"FFI_disability":0.003,"WOMAC_physical_function":0.002,"walking_time":0.008}
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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