Relationship between ultrasound imaging of dorsalis pedis artery and foot health symptoms in people with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease which affects joint function and multiple body systems. Poor foot health for people with RA has a negative impact on mobility, functional capacity, and quality of life. Additional to joint pain, people with RA may develop vascular disease e.g., vasculitis, which can have increasingly detrimental effects on foot health, quality of life and longevity. If identified early, adverse effects may be prevented. However, the link between foot health symptoms and ultrasound identified precursory changes for vasculitis is yet to be established.

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the association between foot health symptoms and the integrity of the dorsalis pedis artery (DPA).

Methods

We recruited 47 participants with RA and 47 characteristic-matched controls. All participants completed an online survey which included demographic questions and Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ). Ultrasound imaging measured participants’ proximal DPA in terms of degree of wall inflammation, lumen diameter, artery diameter, lumen-to-artery diameter ratio and peak systolic velocity.

Results

Significant differences (p < 0.001) were noted between groups for degree of wall inflammation, artery diameter and lumen to artery diameter ratio, while lumen diameter and peak systolic velocity demonstrated no statistical difference. Degree of wall inflammation demonstrated stronger association with FHSQ score (r = −0.454, p < 0.001) than artery diameter (r = −0.361, p < 0.001) and lumen-to-artery diameter ratio (r = 0.404, p < 0.001), while FHSQ score did not relate to lumen diameter (p = 0.798) nor peak systolic velocity (p = 0.258).

Conclusion

We identified specific vascular ultrasound parameters were associated with foot symptoms among people with RA. This non-invasive imaging technique may be a viable method to monitor foot health and disease management.