To investigate whether reporting foot and ankle pain in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients conveys information about later restrictions in daily activity beyond that represented by DAS28-CRP.
Approach:
Study Design: The study focused on the relationship between foot and ankle pain and activity restrictions in RA patients.
Key Findings:
Foot and ankle pain in RA can arise from inflammatory or structural abnormalities, or biomechanical changes.
The study does not imply that foot and ankle pain alone indicates the need for escalation of antirheumatic therapy.
Systematic evaluation of foot and ankle symptoms may reveal components of disease burden not captured by conventional disease activity measures.
Interpretation:
Foot and ankle pain should prompt additional assessment rather than being viewed as a direct treatment target.
Limitations:
The study did not determine the underlying cause of foot and ankle pain.
Conclusion:
Identifying the cause of foot and ankle pain is crucial for appropriate treatment, and imaging may assist in differentiating between types of abnormalities.
