Can Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Predict Fall Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients?

Can Ankle and Foot Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Predict Fall Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients?

Rheumatoid patients have higher fall risk than normal population. Several fall risk factors were studied. No previous study investigated the role of musculoskeletal ultrasound as a predictor of fall risk in rheumatoid arthritis.

Adults with rheumatoid arthritis are exposed to higher risk of fracture. Risk factors included joint tenderness, fatigue, muscle weakness, impaired balance and disease activity.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a bed side radiographic tool that gained much attention in the last decade.It can detect stuctural chnges in the musculoskeletal system even before beeing detected by the x ray.

Nowadays, musculoskeletal ultrasound is a very useful tool in examining rheumatoid patients.

No previous study was done to investigate the role of musculoskeletal ultrasound as a predicting factor of fall risk in rheumatoid patients.

Predicting the fall risk in such disease could help setting preventing measures to prevent falls with its sequels.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults with Rheumatoid arthritis.

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients aged < 18 years
• Patients with lower limb disability preventing the participant from performing the mobility tests,
• Patients who were using antidepressants and sedatives.
• Patients with severe comorbidities, severe vision impairment, or hearing loss or neurological diseases that interferes with the mobility as stroke or neuropathy, were also excluded.