Institution: | 1. Department of Rheumatology, Charles Nicolle Hospital, 1006 Tunis, Tunisia;2. Department of Clinical Biology, Mohamed Taher Maamouri Hospital, Nabeul, Tunisia;3. Université de Tunis El Manar, Faculté de Médecine de Tunis, 1007 Tunis, Tunisia |
Abstract: | BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the foot involvement in a group of patients with spondyloarthritis in regard to symptoms, type and frequency of deformities, location and radiological changes.MethodsWe conducted a cross sectional study including 60 patients with spondyloarthritis over a period of six months. Anamnesis, clinical examination, podoscopic examination, biological tests and X-rays of feet were done for each patient.ResultsFoot involvement was found in 31 patients (52%). It was symptomatic in 35% of cases and inaugural in 42% of cases. The most frequent site was the hindfoot (22 patients/31). Radiological findings were: erosion (17%), reconstruction (33%), erosion and reconstruction (50%). Forefoot involvement was found in 18/31 patients. Forefoot deformities were found in 9 patients. Two patients had sausage toe and feet skin abnormalities were observed in 12 patients. At podoscopic examination, 23 patients had abnormal footprints. Foot involvement was more frequent in peripheral spondyloarthritis (p = 0.008). Patients with foot involvement had an advanced age of disease onset (p = 0.05), a shorter disease duration (p = 0.038) and more comorbidities (p = 0.039). Foot involvement was correlated with C Reactive protein (p = 0.043).ConclusionIn our study, foot involvement and foot symptoms were seen frequently in spondyloarthritis and it is associated with late onset of the disease and with higher inflammation in blood tests. |