Vestibulo-ocular, optokinetic and postural function in humans with rheumatoid arthritis.

The present study investigated vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), optokinetic reflex (OKR) and postural function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Compared with controls, no differences in gaze-holding, VOR gain or phase, OKR slow phase velocity (SPV) or quick phase amplitude, optokinetic afternystagmus SPV or duration, or latency to the illusion of circularvection, were found. RA patients did exhibit greater sway in the leftward direction (P<0.01), however, this was no greater in the conditions of the Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance that increase reliance upon vestibular information. We conclude that RA patients do not exhibit substantial deficits in visual-vestibular function.