Step performance in persons with rheumatoid arthritis: a case-control study.

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Biomechanics
• Gerontology

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting joints.
• Falls are a significant concern for individuals with RA, impacting mobility and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify specific factors contributing to falls in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
• To compare motor performance and psychological factors related to falls between RA patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 15 patients with RA and 15 age- and sex-matched controls.
• Assessment of quick stepping task performance, including reaction times (RTs) and movement times (MTs).
• Evaluation of manual task performance, balance confidence, fear of falling, and activity levels through questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Patients with RA demonstrated significantly longer movement times (MTs) and lower push-off force and step velocity during a quick step task.
• Delayed reaction times (RTs) and movement times (MTs) were observed in a manual task for RA patients.
• RA patients reported significantly lower balance confidence and higher fear of falling compared to controls, with no difference in activity levels.

Conclusions:

• Impaired quick stepping execution, characterized by delayed movement times and reduced velocity, may contribute to an increased fall risk in RA patients.
• Lower balance confidence and increased fear of falling are prevalent in RA patients and are significant psychological contributors to higher fall risk.
• These findings highlight the need for interventions addressing both motor deficits and psychological factors to mitigate fall risk in rheumatoid arthritis.