Morphological and Postural changes in the foot during pregnancy and puerperium : a longitudinal study

The aim of this study is to observe the morphological and postural changes to the foot that take place during pregnancy and the puerperium. Method: In this descriptive, observational, longitudinal study, we analysed 23 pregnant women, with particular attention to morphological and postural aspects of the foot, at three time points during and after pregnancy: in weeks 9-13 of gestation, weeks 32-35 of gestation and weeks 4-6 after delivery. The parameters considered were changes in foot length, the Foot Posture Index (FPI) and the Hernández Corvo Index, which were analysed using a pedigraph and taking into account the Body Mass Index (BMI). The same procedure was conducted in each review. Results: The statistical analyses obtained for each foot did not differ significantly between the three measurement times. A pronator-type footprint was most frequently observed during the third trimester of pregnancy; it was predominantly neutral during the postpartum period. Statistically significant differences between the measurement times were obtained in the right foot for cavus vs. neutral foot type (between the first and third trimesters and also between the first trimester and the puerperium) (in both cases, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Foot length increases in the third trimester and returns to normal in the puerperium. According to FPI findings, the third trimester of pregnancy is characterised by pronation, while the posture returns to neutrality during the postpartum period. During pregnancy, the plantar arch flattens, and this persists during the puerperium. The incidence of cavus foot increases significantly in the third trimester and in the puerperium

Systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis overlap syndrome – management of severe cardiac, pulmonary and articular involvement

Introduction The presence of another rheumatological condition in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) is not uncommon. To report a case of a patient with SSc-RA overlap and perform a review of the cases re-ported in the literature. Material and Methods A chart review of the present case report was performed. After, we performed a literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases. Results We included 26 articles. Sixty-three patients were reviewed, 51 were female with a mean age of 45.03 years at the time of the first diagnosis. Sixty-three patients were diagnosed with limited cu-taneous SSc. Regarding organ involvement, the most frequently reported were cutaneous, vascular, pulmonary and gastrointestinal involvement. Erosions were presenting 65.08% of patients. A panoply of treatments was used. Conclusions The authors concluded that screening for an associated disease should be encouraged since the overlap with SSc may affect prognosis and treatment