Objectives : Rheumatic diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis constitute the most frequent pathological states leading to the development of foot deformities, which reduce quality of life and cause disability. The aim of the present study was to compare the results of...

Disturbed static foot function is one of the main causes of impaired quality of life, which may be related to the frailty syndrome of older adult patients with Rheumatoid Arthitis (RA). The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between parameters of static foot function disturbances and quality of life of older adult patients with RA. The study was performed among 102 patients with RA diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and EULAR 2010 criteria. Patients were divided into four subgroups depending on radiological evaluation according to the Steinbrocker classification. Plantoconturography examination was conducted using a podoscope with a 3D scanner and software for computer foot examination CQ ST2K. Quality of life of patients with RA was evaluated using the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales-2 (AIMS-2). A statistically significant relationship between AIMS-2 and parameters of static foot function disturbances was observed. The study revealed correlations between parameters of disturbed static foot function and RA severity in comparison to disease duration. Our results indicate a relationship between static foot function disturbances and quality of life of patients with RA, not only in the area of physical activity, but also in the social an emotional domain. Study results indicate that plantoconturography and assessment of quality of life using AIMS-2 could be useful as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in RA.

W pracy przedstawiono problematykę związaną z obecnością zmian zniekształcająco-deformacyjnych stóp w przebiegu reumatoidalnego zapalenia stawów (RZS), z uwzględnieniem współczesnych metod diagnostycznych oraz postępowania terapeutycznego. Zmiany patologiczne w obrębie struktur anatomicznych stóp, będące wynikiem procesu zapalnego, prowadzą do upośledzenia funkcji motorycznych kończyn dolnych. Zaburzenia wydolności statycznej stóp należą do wiodących przyczyn niepełnosprawności oraz pogorszenia jakości życia chorych na RZS. Spośród współczesnych możliwości diagnostycznych na uwagę zasługuje badanie z wykorzystaniem komputerowej analizy plantokonturogramu, które umożliwia ocenę wydolności statycznej stóp oraz jest przydatne w prawidłowym planowaniu strategii terapeutycznej. Współczesna strategia postępowania polega na wczesnej interdyscyplinarnej terapii obejmującej edukację, fizjoterapię, zaopatrzenie ortopedyczne i leczenie operacyjne.

This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the long-term clinical outcomes of an original rehabilitation programme for patients with long-COVID, highlighting the sustained therapeutic benefits over a six-month period. Seventy‑five patients with long‑COVID symptoms completed a six‑week programme comprising three weekly outpatient sessions. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups following an identical comprehensive protocol, incorporating aerobic training, respiratory exercises, strength and general fitness training, stretching, and respiratory resistance training with a respiratory muscle trainer, with the control group receiving placebo IMT. The study evaluated the programme’s effectiveness by assessing respiratory function (spirometry, muscle strength, chest expansion, and DTF), voice and speech quality, and symptom persistence. The six-month follow-up analysis demonstrated statistically significant retention of improvements in functional and qualitative parameters compared with post-rehabilitation values, with further gains relative to baseline. Our findings indicate that the multi‑component rehabilitation programme is broadly beneficial, with the greatest functional gains in patients with lower baseline capacity, while offering equitable, low‑cost support across age and sex groups and enabling targeted allocation of intensive monitoring to those with the highest potential for clinically meaningful improvement. The study is the first comprehensive analysis of the relationship between long‑COVID and voice and speech‑related disabilities, while also validating the clinical efficacy of the intervention. Clinical trials registration : NCT05449379; 08/07/2022.