Follow-up of health-related quality of life and pain in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis before and after COVID-19

Background The foot is one of the anatomical structures of the body most affected in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), associated with the disability of patients, even more during COVID-19. The aim of this study was to analyse whether the period of physical inactivity during COVID-19 is an influential factor on health-related quality of life and foot pain in patients with RA. Methods 162 patients with foot pain and RA, recruited from the Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada (Spain) were included. Data was collected during two different periods: January - December 2018 in person and June - September 2021 by phone. Patients were asked to complete the Spanish adapted version of the 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results The results from the SF-12 questionnaires were divided between its two subscales (i.e., mental, and physical component). The physical component shows an improvement between 2018 and 2021, from 32.05 in 2018–35.18 in 2021 (p < 0.05). The opposite happened with the mental component, showing a deterioration, from 39.69 in 2018–34.48 in 2021 (p < 0.05). Regarding pain, VAS shows higher levels of pain with statistically significant differences, both in general pain (from 6 in 2018–7 in 2012) and in foot pain (from 5 to 7), (p < 0.05). Conclusion Mental quality of life and pain, both general and foot pain, are influenced by the period of physical inactivity during COVID-19

A Systematic review to identify the effects of biologics in the feet of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background and objective: Ninety percent of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) feel foot pain during the disease process. Pharmacological treatment of RA has a systematic effect on the body and includes: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics. The objective of our review was to examine the impact of biologics on patients with RA 'foot. Methods and material: A systematic review of randomized control trials and observational studies that evaluated the efficacy of biologics against other pharmacological treatment, and included a foot outcome measure. The search covered MEDLINE Ovid, Pubmed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Evidence Search, and Web of Science. Risk of bias was evaluated using Cochrane guidance and the Newcastle Ottawa Scale adapted version. Results: A total of eight studies fully met the inclusion criteria: Three randomized control trials, and five observational studies were the basis of our review. A total sample of 1856 RA patients with RA treatment participated. The use of biologics was not associated as a risk factor for post-operative surgical site infection or delayed wound healing. The benefits of biologics, in terms of the disease evolution, were assessed using Xray. Conclusion: Evidence suggests that the use of biologics is not a risk factor for post-operative surgical site infection or delayed wound healing. The use of biologics presents benefits in terms of the disease evolution assessed through X-ray

Relationship between Kinesiophobia, Foot Pain and Foot Function, and Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study

The main objective of the present study was to determine the relationship between kinesiophobia and pain (general and foot pain), foot function, and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A total of 124 interviews were carried out with participants with RA. Participants were recruited from the Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves de Granada in Spain. Interviews took place in January 2021. Participants completed the following questionnaires during an appointment with their rheumatologist: Foot Function Index (FFI), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-11), and the Visual Analogue Scale Pain foot (VAS Pain). Furthermore, the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) was used to measure disease activity. Of the 124 participants, 73% were women, and their mean age was 59.44 years (SD 11.26 years). In the statistical analysis, positive linear correlations (p < 0.001) were obtained between the variables TSK-11 and VAS (related to general pain or foot pain) and FFI (in its three subscales). Additionally, a negative correlation between the TSK-11 and the educational background was shown. This study provided information about the relationship between foot function and pain with different levels of kinesiophobia in patients with RA. Additionally, the educational background of the patient was considered a predictor of whether or not a patient suffered from kinesiophobia.Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Physical Exercise and Dietary Supplementation in Middle-Aged and OlderWomen: A Systematic Review

With the aging of the population in developed countries, the number of middle-aged and older women is progressively increasing. During this stage, women suffer from a number of signs and symptoms that could be reduced or treated with physical exercise and dietary supplements. The main objective of this study was to analyse the benefits of exercise and dietary supplements during menopause. Materials and methods: A systematic review of the scientific literature was performed according to the PRISMA 2020 protocol, searching the PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and WOS databases. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were assessed for methodological quality using the PEDro or AMSTAR-2 scales. Results: The searches yielded a total of 104 results, of which 10 were selected, with methodological quality ranging from fair to excellent. Each article examined the combination of a dietary supplement plan versus a placebo; plus an exercise routine versus another routine or a sedentary lifestyle. The results showed the benefits of combining a nutritional supplementation plan with an exercise routine during menopause. Conclusions: The practice of weekly strength and endurance exercises, together with the consumption of certain dietary supplements, may be a good resource for coping with menopause in a healthy way

Características morfoestructurales del pie relacionadas con la calidad de vida en pacientes con artritis reumatoide

La artritis reumatoide es una enfermedad autoinmune de etiología desconocida, con etiopatogenia multifactorial y con sintomatología principalmente en articulaciones sinoviales. El pie es una estructura anatómica del aparato locomotor en el cual todas sus articulaciones son sinoviales, actualmente aproximadamente el 90% de los pacientes con artritis reumatoide refiere sintomatología en el pie, aun así es la estructura que menos se evalúa clínicamente y no es incluida en los métodos de evaluación estandarizados. Objetivo: Describir las características de funcionalidad, calidad de vida y parámetros antropométricos en pacientes con Artritis Reumatoide. Material y método: Se han utilizado diferentes métodos de autoevaluación (SF12, EVA, MFPDI, LFIS y FFI) y escalas de evaluación antropométrica y articular propias del pie (medidas antropométricas con plataforma MCPoil, escala Nijmegen, FPI, Navicular Drop, MHAV). El paciente que el equipo de reumatología del HUVN consideraba que cumplía con los criterios de inclusión y exclusión se le proporcionaba el cuaderno con los métodos de autoevaluación y a continuación el equipo de podología, adiestrado para la toma de datos, realizaba los diferentes test antropométricos tanto en carga como en descarga, para evaluar los cambios que producen en el pie aumentando la carga (peso corporal). Resultados: Se ha observado con los métodos de autoevaluación tanto generales (SF12, EVA) como específicos del pie (MFPDI, LFIS y FFI) un deterioro en funcionalidad del pie y calidad de vida, pero en los análisis estadísticos no se ha encontrado asociación a los cambios morfoestructurales del pie originados por el deterioro articular especifico de la enfermedad. Conclusiones: El pie presenta una significativa incidencia en pacientes con artritis reumatoide, hoy en día no disponemos de metodología específica de evaluación con la que analizar el impacto que supone la deformación del pie en la calidad de vida

Long COVID and Physical Therapy: A Systematic Review

Prolonged COVID is a persistent condition following the initial COVID-19 infection, which is characterized by a variety of symptoms that may include fatigue, muscle pain, sleep disturbances, “brain fog”, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, neurological and dermatological symptoms. Physical therapy has been identified as a crucial aspect of the management of patients with long COVID, as it can help improve symptoms and overall physical function. The investigation of long COVID poses significant challenges due to the diversity and variability of symptoms, lack of clear diagnostic criteria, and limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of studies conducted in patients with long COVID in conjunction with interventions targeting respiratory function, particularly involving physical activity. To this end, we conducted a systematic review to analyze studies conducted on treatment programs for long COVID based on some form of physical activity. The protocol of the review was registered in the PROSPERO website, and the databases PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and WOS were searched. Of the 62 initial articles, six were included in the review. The results obtained have positive implications for the advancement of physical activity as a therapeutic intervention for individuals with long COVID-19 and the conceptualization of evidence-based treatment protocols. Statistically significant results have been observed in studies of at least 6 weeks duration, in which inspiratory muscle training exercises are proposed. Further research is needed to better understand long COVID and develop effective treatment strategies

Relationship between Kinesiophobia, Foot Pain and Foot Function, and Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study

The main objective of the present study was to determine the relationship between kinesiophobia and pain (general and foot pain), foot function, and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A total of 124 interviews were carried out with participants with RA. Participants were recruited from the Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves de Granada in Spain. Interviews took place in January 2021. Participants completed the following questionnaires during an appointment with their rheumatologist: Foot Function Index (FFI), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-11), and the Visual Analogue Scale Pain foot (VAS Pain). Furthermore, the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) was used to measure disease activity. Of the 124 participants, 73% were women, and their mean age was 59.44 years (SD 11.26 years). In the statistical analysis, positive linear correlations (p < 0.001) were obtained between the variables TSK-11 and VAS (related to general pain or foot pain) and FFI (in its three subscales). Additionally, a negative correlation between the TSK-11 and the educational background was shown. This study provided information about the relationship between foot function and pain with different levels of kinesiophobia in patients with RA. Additionally, the educational background of the patient was considered a predictor of whether or not a patient suffered from kinesiophobia

Transcultural adaptation and validation of the Spanish version of the Global Pain Scale

The aim of this study was to perform a cross-cultural adaption and validation of the Global Pain Scale (GPS) to produce a Spanish-language version (GPS-Sp) and to determine the psychometric properties of this instrument. The GPS was cross-culturally translated into Spanish following the guidelines of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research. The initial study population was composed of 384 patients recruited from February to May 2021. All participants were aged at least 18 years and were currently experiencing pain. All gave signed informed consent to take part and completed the Brief Inventory-Sp and GPS-Spain questionnaires. Cronbach's ɑ and test/retest reliability values were calculated and floor/ceiling effects analyzed. Construct validity was assessed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The 370 patients included in the final analysis presented the following characteristics: 36.2% were male and 63.8% were female; mean age 42.6 (19–88) years; mean body mass index 24.99. Internal consistency was good. The Cronbach's ɑ for GPS-Sp was 0.86 and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.94 (95% CI; 0.87–0.97). Five main explanatory factors were identified by CFA, which produced the following values: RMSEA = 0.057; CFI = 0.807; GFI = 0.809; NFI = 0.763. No floor/ceiling effect was observed. The GPS-Sp is a valid, reliable and sensitive instrument for assessing pain in a Spanish-speaking population and could facilitate pain relief in this population.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

Symmetry Criterion for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Foot: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze the feet of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, to determine the degree to which both feet were affected, primarily analyzing the severity of RA in both feet looking at structure and morphology, and secondly looking at the symmetry in terms of the anthropometrics and posture. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2018. The data from 229 patients with RA and with foot pain and no RA recruited (Granada, Spain) were analyzed. Two researchers independently interviewed the patients to obtain the study data. The clinical data were obtained using specific foot health and quality of life questionnaires and a validated platform for foot measurement. Anthropometric measurements were obtained by means of a foot measurement platform and the Foot Posture Index (FPI). The bivariate analysis was performed with the Student’s t test and the non-parametric Wilcoxon test. The level of significance was established at p < 0.05. Results: In the RA group, anthropometric measurements revealed significant differences between the left and right feet in 13 of the 23 parameters considered, as follows: (non-load-bearing) foot length, length of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, maximum height of the internal longitudinal arch, and width of the midfoot (p < 0.001, p = 0.038, p < 0.001, and p = 0.037 respectively); and Foot Posture Index (p = 0.001). Conclusions: In patients with RA, statistically significant differences were found in the Foot Posture Index and in several parameters related to foot structure and morphology. From this, we conclude that from a morphological, structural, and postural standpoint, a pattern of symmetric joint involvement should not be viewed as a specific criterion for RA in the foot.Ye

Morpho-structural characteristics of feet in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A cross sectional study

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate and classify the types and incidences of foot deformities in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Methods: A cross-sectional study with convenience sample was obtained of 220 patients with foot pain and RA classification criteria (approved by the American College of Rheumatology and the European League against Rheumatism in 2010). A series of outcomes were assessed to measure the morphological characteristics of the feet. The Foot Posture Index (FPI), the Manchester Scale of Hallux Valgus and the Nijmegen classification of forefoot disorders were assessed. Results: The most common foot posture according to the FPI assessment are the pronated position in the left foot (32.7% of participants) and the neutral position in the right foot (34.1% of participants). The disease progression causes more developed and serious foot deformities. 1.82% of patients present a severe level of Hallux Valgus before 10 years of disease evolution whereas 4.09% of patients present a severe level of Hallux Valgus after 10 years of disease evolution. Conclusions: The most common foot type in patients with RA is the pronated foot type with deformities in the MTP joints without Hallux Valgus. However, a percentage of patients with RA presents supinated foot type. The evolution of the disease shows some morphological changes in terms of patient's feet. The presence of more developed foot deformities is increased, such us Hallux Valgus or MTP joints deformity (Grade 3 in the Nijmegen classification scale).Ye