title: Step performance in persons with rheumatoid arthritis: a case-control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate factors that could lead to falls in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with RA (n=15) and age- and sex-matched controls (n=15; mean ± SD age, 60.5 ± 7.1y).
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Performance of participants on a step task. Furthermore, manual performance was assessed, as well as questionnaires for balance confidence, fear of falling, and activity level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with RA showed nonsignificantly increased RTs (time to anticipatory postural adjustment and foot lift) and significantly increased movement times (MTs). Push-off force and step velocity were significantly lower in patients with RA. During a manual task, delayed RTs and MTs were seen. Moreover, lower levels of balance confidence and more fear of falling were reported in patients with RA. There were no differences in activity levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When performing a quick step, patients with RA show delayed MT and step velocity and decreased push off. Because quick stepping often is used to avoid falls, the increase in step execution time might have undesirable consequences. Furthermore, patients with RA have lower balance confidence and more fear of falling than healthy controls; these factors also contribute to higher fall risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Smulders
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van Lankveld
authors.forename: Florieke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Eggermont
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duysens
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Weerdesteyn
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D010147:Pain Measurement; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires