Background Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) affects among 0.3% and 1.5% of people.¹ Foot involvement occurs in more than 85% of people with RA.² One of the most prevalent deformities is rearfoot valgus.³

Objectives To study whether the use of custom made foot orthoses improves pain, foot function, and quality of life in RA patients.

Methods This randomised clinical trial was carried out in the University of Seville and of A Coruña. Inclusion criteria: to be over 18 years and to have diagnosis of RA with involvement in the foot. Exclusion criteria: Acute phase, neurological problems or cognitive impairment. Participants were given an informational form. They had to use physiological footwear and assigned foot orthoses during at least 8 hours/day, for 3 months. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: Experimental Group (A) (foot orthosis with a Rovalfoam upper sheet and polypropylene) and Control Group (B) (5mm-thick Rovalfoam sheet, without adaptation). The SF-12, the Visual Analogue Pain Scale (EVA), the Manchester Questionnaire and the Foot Function Index (FFI) are administered at the first visit and at the last review.

Results The final sample consisted of 47 participants with RA, 53.2% were group A and 46.8% were group B. This

At the initial moment between groups, there were no statistically significant differences.

Data obtained baseline and end of the follow-up period were compared within the control group, and showed significant differences in some FFI domains (days with pain, disability and total). In the experimental group there was a statistically significant decrease in EVA scale, some Manchester questionnaire domains (pain and total sections) and in some FFI domains (activity limitation and total; there was a very statistically significant in EVA scale and in some FFI domains (pain and total). There was no significant difference in the SF-12 scale between these two moments.

Conclusions Custom made foot orthoses improved foot pain and function in people with RA who participate in this study. However, this treatment did not have a positive effect on their quality of life.

References [1] Novak P, et al. Influence of foot orthoses on plantar pressures, foot pain and walking ability of rheumatoid arthritis patients-a randomised controlled study. Disabil Rehabil2009;31(8):638–45.

[2] Bongi SM, et al. A comparison of two podiatric protocols for metatarsalgia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Clin Exp Rheumatol2014;32:855–63.

[3] Barn R, et al. Kinematic, kinetic and electromyographic response to customized foot orthoses in patients with tibialis posterior tenosynovitis, pes plano valgus and rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol2014;53(1):123–30.

Disclosure of Interest None declared