Article

An estimated 55-90% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have foot
problems. Therapeutic footwear is frequently prescribed as part of usual care,
but data on its use and effect is incomplete. This study aimed to investigate the
use and effects of therapeutic footwear. METHODS: Patients with rheumatoid
arthritis receiving custom-made therapeutic footwear for the first time formed an
inception cohort. Patients reported their therapeutic footwear use on 3
consecutive days in activity diaries 14 and 20 weeks after delivery of the
footwear. The Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index
(WOMAC) was used as the primary outcome of lower-extremity-related pain and
activity limitations, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) as a
secondary outcome measure of activity limitations, both at baseline and 26 weeks
after therapeutic footwear delivery. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 114 rheumatoid
arthritis patients (median disease duration 10 years). Mean (standard deviation)
therapeutic footwear use was 54 (25)% of the time patients were out of bed. The
median (interquartile range) WOMAC score improved from 41 (27-59) to 31 (16-45)
(p < 0.001). Secondary outcome measures improved significantly. CONCLUSION:
Therapeutic footwear was used with moderate intensity by most rheumatoid
arthritis patients and was associated with a substantial decrease in pain and
activity limitations. Therapeutic footwear is a relevant treatment option for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and foot problems.

Langue : ANGLAIS