RT Journal Article
T1 Factors Associated with Persistent Metatarsal Pain in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Remission: Clinical Implications and Multivariable Analysis in a Cross-Sectional Study
A1 Bueno Fermoso, Rebeca
A1 Morales Lozano, María Rosario
A1 Martínez Rincón, María Del Carmen
A1 García Fernández, Pablo
A1 López González, Juan Miguel
A1 González Fernández, María Luz
AB Background: Foot pain often persists in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), even during clinical remission. However, its causes are not fully understood. Identifying factors specifically associated with metatarsal pain, rather than generalized foot pain, may improve targeted management strategies. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical, biomechanical, and radiological characteristics of RA patients in remission with isolated metatarsal pain versus those with pain in other foot regions, and to identify independent predictors of metatarsal pain. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 118 RA patients in remission, classified into two groups: isolated metatarsal pain (n = 61) and pain in other foot regions (n = 57). Clinical variables (demographics, disease duration, treatment, comorbidities), biomechanical measures (ankle, first metatarsophalangeal and subtalar joint mobility, hallux valgus severity, foot type), radiographic findings (erosions, subluxations), and ultrasound-detected synovitis in the 2nd–5th metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints were recorded. Independent predictors were identified using binary logistic regression. Results: Patients with metatarsal pain had higher rates of severe hallux valgus, MTP synovitis, and dislocations ≥ 50%. Independent predictors were hallux valgus (OR = 5.428, 95% CI: 1.528–19.287, p = 0.009), MTP synovitis (OR = 2.093, 95% CI: 1.337–3.275, p = 0.001), and MTP dislocations (OR = 2.092, 95% CI: 1.275–3.432, p = 0.003). Conclusions: Persistent metatarsal pain in RA remission is associated with a distinct structural and biomechanical profile. Comparing foot pain by location may help identify clinically relevant patterns and support more individualized assessment and treatment strategies. Due to the cross-sectional design, causality cannot be established.
PB MDPI
SN 2227-9059
YR 2025
FD 2025-08-20
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124830
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124830
LA eng
NO Bueno Fermoso, R.; Morales Lozano, M.R.; Martínez Rincón, C.; García-Fernández, P.; López González, J.M.; González Fernandez, M.L. Factors Associated with Persistent Metatarsal Pain in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Remission: Clinical Implications and Multivariable Analysis in a Cross-Sectional Study. Biomedicines 2025, 13, 2024. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/biomedicines13082024
DS Docta Complutense
RD 26 feb 2026