Foot and ankle characteristics in systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Impact of fibromyalgia and related factors on foot function and quality of life: Cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The aim of study is to examine the factors that may influence pain, disability and the limitation of activity due to the presence of fibromyalgia in the foot.

METHODS

323 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia were recruited. Each participant completed the Foot Function Index questionnaire (FFI) and the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR). A multivariate analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with high scores in each of these questionnaires.

RESULTS

In both questionnaires, the subscales presenting the highest scores were foot pain (FFI score: 71.18 ± 20.40) and symptom intensity (FIQR score: 36.23 ± 8.04). According to the multivariate analysis, foot function is influenced by age (p = <0.001), BMI (p = 0.001), lack of physical activity (p = <0.001), the presence of rheumatoid arthritis (p = 0.012), retirement due to disability (p = <0.001) and being unemployed (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Fibromyalgia affects foot function, provoking significant pain. Related factors include age, BMI, lack of physical activity, the presence of rheumatoid arthritis, and employment status.

Foot Pain and Disability in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Relationship with Quality of Life

The aim of this work was to investigate the relationship foot pain and foot disability have with HRQoL in groups of women with RA, SLE and EDS, in comparison with a control group. A cross-sectional study was carried out with females with one of these conditions and a control group. The SF-12 questionnaire was used to collect data about quality of life. The type of foot was classified according to the footprint and the foot posture index. A total of 156 patients and 47 controls participated in the study (N = 203). Neither pain nor foot posture were different between groups. The physical and mental components of SF-12 were worse in rheumatoid arthritis and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome patients, and the physical component was worse in systemic lupus erythematosus patients, compared to controls. A significant difference was also observed in the mental component between systemic lupus erythematosus and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome patients, the latter having the lowest values among the groups. We can conclude that women with rheumatoid arthritis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus and foot pain perceive a worse quality of life. There are no significant changes in foot posture. Pain and health-related quality of life are independent of foot posture.

Effectiveness of custom-made functional foot orthoses versus flat cushioning insoles on pain in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of foot orthoses on pain, disability and foot functionality in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

DESIGN

Randomized clinical trial.

SETTING

University Podiatric Clinical Area.

SUBJECTS

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomly assigned to either group A, which received custom-made functional foot orthoses, or group B, which received flat cushioning insoles, for three months.

MAIN MEASURES

The primary outcome was foot pain, measured by 11-point numeric pain rating scale. Foot functionality and foot-related disability were evaluated using the foot function index, the Manchester foot pain and disability, at the beginning and at days 90.

RESULTS

Sixty-six participants (age 47.3 ± 11.9 years) suffering from foot pain, received either the custom-made foot orthoses (N = 33) or the flat cushioning insoles (N = 33). For the analysis of the data, only participants who had finished the follow-up period (90 days) were included. None statistically significant difference between groups were found. In group A, all variables showed statistically significant differences when comparing the initial and final measurements. Pain showed 6.8 ± 1.6 and 4.2 ± 2.9 in group A, at baseline and at 90 days, respectively, group B showed 6.5 ± 1.5 and 4.7 ± 3.0 at baseline and at 90 days, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Both groups showed a reduction in foot pain. This study suggests that not only controlling the foot function, but providing cushioning to the foot, may have positive effects to manage foot pain in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.