A P M Konings-Pijnappels1, M Tenten-Diepenmaat2, R Dahmen3, S K Verberne4, J Dekker5, J W R Twisk6, L D Roorda7, M van der Leeden8. 1. Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center, Reade, Dr. Jan van Breemenstraat 2, PO 58271, 1040 HG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: a.konings@reade.nl. 2. Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center, Reade, Dr. Jan van Breemenstraat 2, PO 58271, 1040 HG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: m.tenten@reade.nl. 3. Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center, Reade, Dr. Jan van Breemenstraat 2, PO 58271, 1040 HG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: r.dahmen@reade.nl. 4. Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center, Reade, Dr. Jan van Breemenstraat 2, PO 58271, 1040 HG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: s.verberne@reade.nl. 5. VU University Medical Center, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, PO 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health research institute, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: j.dekker@vumc.nl. 6. Amsterdam Public Health research institute, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1089a, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: jwr.twisk@vumc.nl. 7. Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center, Reade, Dr. Jan van Breemenstraat 2, PO 58271, 1040 HG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: l.roorda@reade.nl. 8. Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Center, Reade, Dr. Jan van Breemenstraat 2, PO 58271, 1040 HG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; VU University Medical Center, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, PO 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health research institute, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: m.vd.leeden@reade.nl.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), both high and low forefoot plantar pressures have been reported. Better understanding of pathology in the forefoot associated with altered pressure distribution in patients with RA could help to better formulate and specify goals for treatment with foot orthoses or therapeutic footwear. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of plantar pressure with disease activity and deformity in the forefoot in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and forefoot symptoms. METHODS: A cross sectional study, using data of 172 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and forefoot symptoms, was conducted. Peak pressure (PP) and pressure time integral (PTI) in the forefoot were measured with a pressure platform. Forefoot deformity was assessed using the Platto score. Forefoot disease activity was defined as swelling and/or pain assessed by palpation of the metatarsophalangeal joints. The forefoot was divided in a medial, central and lateral region, in which the following conditions could be present: 1) no pathology, 2) disease activity, 3) deformity or 4) disease activity and deformity. A multilevel analysis was performed using condition per forefoot region as independent variable and PP or PTI in the corresponding region as dependent variable. RESULTS: Statistically significant higher plantar pressures were found in forefoot regions with deformities (RR 1.2, CI 1.1-1.3, P<0.0001), compared to forefoot regions without forefoot pathology. No significant differences in plantar pressures were found when solely forefoot disease activity was present in forefoot regions. SIGNIFICANCE: Forefoot deformities are related to higher plantar pressures measured in the corresponding forefoot regions. The absence of an association between local disease activity and plantar pressure might be explained by the low prevalence of metatarsophalangeal joint pain or swelling. Future research with sensitive imaging measures to detect disease activity is recommended to reveal the effect of forefoot disease activity on plantar pressure.
BACKGROUND: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), both high and low forefoot plantar pressures have been reported. Better understanding of pathology in the forefoot associated with altered pressure distribution in patients with RA could help to better formulate and specify goals for treatment with foot orthoses or therapeutic footwear. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of plantar pressure with disease activity and deformity in the forefoot in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and forefoot symptoms. METHODS: A cross sectional study, using data of 172 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and forefoot symptoms, was conducted. Peak pressure (PP) and pressure time integral (PTI) in the forefoot were measured with a pressure platform. Forefoot deformity was assessed using the Platto score. Forefoot disease activity was defined as swelling and/or pain assessed by palpation of the metatarsophalangeal joints. The forefoot was divided in a medial, central and lateral region, in which the following conditions could be present: 1) no pathology, 2) disease activity, 3) deformity or 4) disease activity and deformity. A multilevel analysis was performed using condition per forefoot region as independent variable and PP or PTI in the corresponding region as dependent variable. RESULTS: Statistically significant higher plantar pressures were found in forefoot regions with deformities (RR 1.2, CI 1.1-1.3, P<0.0001), compared to forefoot regions without forefoot pathology. No significant differences in plantar pressures were found when solely forefoot disease activity was present in forefoot regions. SIGNIFICANCE: Forefoot deformities are related to higher plantar pressures measured in the corresponding forefoot regions. The absence of an association between local disease activity and plantar pressure might be explained by the low prevalence of metatarsophalangeal joint pain or swelling. Future research with sensitive imaging measures to detect disease activity is recommended to reveal the effect of forefoot disease activity on plantar pressure.
Authors: Emily S Kelly; Peter R Worsley; Catherine J Bowen; Lindsey S Cherry; Bethany E Keenan; Christopher J Edwards; Neil O'Brien; Leonard King; Alex S Dickinson Journal: Front Bioeng Biotechnol Date: 2021-12-23