The prevalence of disabling foot pain in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis

BackgroundFoot pain occurs up to 94% in patients with longstanding rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causing ambulation problems and disability. It was thought that these problems occur already early during the disease process but no data are available. The Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Questionnaire (MFPDQ) is a valid tool to assess disabling foot pain which is easy to complete and analyse.ObjectiveTo gather data about the prevalence of foot pain with its consequence on disability in early diagnosed patients with rheumatoid arthritis.MethodA questionnaire asking about foot pain and the MFPDQ were given to 200 patients with RA diagnosed within the last 4 years. The results of the MFPDQ were divided into categories of disability.ResultsOne-hundred and eighty-five participants completed the pain questionnaire and 126 the MFPDQ. Foot pain was reported by 74% of the participants with 64% experiencing pain in the last month and 60% at the time of completing the questionnaires. Results of the MFPDQ showed that 53% of the participants scored moderate disability and 30% severe disability caused by foot pain.ConclusionFoot pain occurs early in patients with RA resulting in moderate to severe disability in the majority of participants.