The Importance of Foot Function Assessment Using the Foot Function Index-Revised Short Form (FFI-RS) Questionnaire in...

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Orthopedics
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) commonly causes foot problems, affecting patient mobility and daily function.
• Foot issues in RA patients can impair walking and the ability to perform everyday tasks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Foot Function Index-Revised Short Form (FFI-RS) in assessing functional status in RA patients with foot problems.
• To explore correlations between FFI-RS scores and other health status measures in RA patients.

Main Methods:

• 61 RA patients with foot pain/swelling were included: 37 with ultrasound-confirmed foot lesions (study group) and 24 without (control group).
• Health status was assessed using the FFI-RS, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS 28).

Main Results:

• The FFI-RS showed significant differences in total scores, pain, and stiffness between groups.
• Numerous significant correlations were found between FFI-RS, HAQ-DI, disease duration, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, particularly in the study group.
• FFI-RS detected RA-related foot joint function changes even in patients without visible foot lesions on ultrasound.

Conclusions:

• The FFI-RS is a valuable tool for assessing RA patients' functional status and treatment efficacy.
• FFI-RS can identify functional limitations related to RA in the feet, even when ultrasound does not reveal overt lesions.