High fall rates observed among rheumatoid arthritis patients

The Rheumatoid arthritis patients experienced high falls rate, as reported by the researchers of University of Campinas, Brazil. However, a steeper fall rate noticed among the patients who suffered from RA, but the studies comprising information about falls and its association with clinical data, disease-related results and physical performance tests showed a substantial inequality and therefore to validate the report this study was conducted.

A total of 113 RA patients were categorized into three classes; "recurrent fallers", "sporadic fallers", and "non-fallers". The comparison was conducted on the basis of Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), 5-Time Sit Down-To-Stand Up Test (SST5), disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index [HAQ-DI]), Foot Function Index (FFI), Timed-up-and-go Test (TUG), lower-limb tender and swollen joint count, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and clinical data. The relationship between the occurrence of falls and the investigated variables were measured by using logistic regression analysis, calculating odds ratios. The association between physical tests (BBS, TUG, SST5) and disease outcome measures (HAQ-DI and CDAI) were also evaluated.

A total of 71 and 59 patients exhibited a fear of falling and falls, respectively. Notable associations were observed between "recurrent fallers" and low income, HAQ-DI, fear of falling, CDAI, FFI-total, SST5 score, FFI-pain, lower-limb tender joint count, BBS score, TUG score, vertigo, and Lower-limb HAQ. The only significant predictor of recurrent falls found on multivariate analysis was CDAI. The CDAI and HAQ-DI also showed a significant relationship with physical performance test scores (BBS, TUG, SST5).