Background/Purpose:  The feet are commonly affected in patients with psoriatic arthritis which cause impairment and disability. The purpose of the study is to assess the static and dynamic balances in PsA and to investigate their relation with clinical, functional and radiological parameters of feet.

Methods:  Patients diagnosed with PsA according to CASPAR criteria and healthy controls were recruited consecutively into the study. The age, sex and body mass index (BMI) of the cases were recorded as demographic data. The disease activity was assessed by DAS-28 and PASI scores. Fear of falling and falling history in the recent year were recorded. Radiographic assessments of feet were done to consider the deformities (pes planus, hallux valgus, metatarsus primus valgus etc). ‘Foot and Ankle Outcome Score’ (FAOS) was applied for foot function assessment. The fatigue (Multidimentional Assessment of Fatigue: MAF), depression (Beck Depression Inventory: BDI) and sleep disorders (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) of all patients were evaluated. The state of balance of the patients was evaluated by means of ‘Berg Balance Scale’ (BBS) and also ‘Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance’ and ‘Unilateral Stance’ tests were performed for static balance assessment, ‘Step Up/Over’ and Tandem Walk’ tests were performed for dynamic balance assessment via the ‘Neurocom Balance Master’ device available in our clinic.

Results:  This study included 100 subjects that consist of 50 PsA patients (40 female) and 50 healthy controls (40 female) and their mean ages were 45.02 (SD:12.81) and 45.12 (SD:10.56) years, respectively. Age, sex and BMI data of both groups were similar. The mean score of DAS-28 and PASI of patients were 3.45 (SD: 0.87) and 7.80 (SD:1.05), respectively. Concerning the balance tests, there were significant differences (p<0.05) between patient and control groups about the all tests of sway velocity (except on firm and foam surface), eyes closed test, end sway of tandem walk test, movement time of bilateral step up over test and lift up index of left step up over test. There were not significant correlation of static and dynamic balance parameters with MAF, BDI, PSQI, falling history, fear of falling, DAS28 and PASI. The foot deformities according to X-ray assessment had not significant correlation with FAOS and balance parameters.

Conclusion:  The static and dynamic balance disorders are increased in PsA. Because of the balance parameters had not significant correlation with functional and clinical data they are acceptable as an independent parameters during the course of the disease.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/assessment-of-the-static-and-dynamic-balances-in-psoriatic-arthritis-psa-and-their-relations-with-clinical-radiological-and-functional-parameters-of-feet/