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BackgroundFear of falling, foot pain and functional disability are commonly reported in rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover, the relationship between the fear of falling and foot pain, impairment and disability has rarely been studied.ObjectivesTo evaluate the relationship between fear of falling and foot pain, impairment and disability in patients with established RA.MethodsA cross-sectional study that included patients with rheumatoid arthritis. We collected the following data: age, sex, duration of disease, foot pain assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Disease activity assessed by DAS 28, HAQ disability index (HAQ-DI). Fear of falling was assessed by Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) which consists of 16 different activities, scored using a four point scale (1=not at all concerned, 2=somewhat concerned, 3=fairly concerned and 4=very concerned). The summed scores for the 16 activities for each participant were calculated. Scores of ≥23 indicated a significant fear of falling. Foot disability and impairment were measured using the Leeds Foot Impact Scale (LFIS), Foot disability was represented by the total score (LFIST; range 0 to 51) of the LFIS and foot impairment by the first subscale (LFISIF; range 0 to 21). Correlations were used to assess the relationship between fear of falling and foot pain, impairment and disability.ResultsThirty-three patients were included. The mean age was 49.3±10.5 years with female predominance (n=29 (87.9%)). The mean disease duration was 9.9±7.5 years. The mean HAQ-DI was 1.3±0.8. The mean DAS28 score was 5.5±1.3 and the mean EVA foot pain was 5.5±2.4. The mean FES-I score was 37.4±15.1 and 69.7% (n=23) of patients had a significant fear of falling. Positive correlations were found between fear of falling and foot impairment (r=0.66; p<0.0001) and disability (r=0.80; p<0.0001). No correlation was found between fear of falling and foot pain (r =0.29, p=0.07).ConclusionsThe results of this study have demonstrated the importance of the relationship between fear of falling and foot impairment and disability.Disclosure of InterestNone declared

BackgroundTuberculous spondylodiscitis is a frequent localization of tuberculosis. Multi-tiered involvement and an association with sternal localization are rare.Case presentationWe report a case of multi-tiered tuberculous spondylodiscitis with sternal localization in an immunocompetent 41-year-old Arab woman who had inflammatory bilateral sciatica L5 and S1 and a history of low back pain caused by a trauma. Radiography, computed tomography, and a vertebral biopsy were useful for diagnosis. She reacted well to anti-bacillary treatment despite the occurrence of multiple paravertebral and subcutaneous abscesses. The medullar magnetic resonance imaging control performed at 4 months, 12 months, and 1 year after the end of treatment showed a favorable evolution.ConclusionsTo avoid the delay of diagnosis, especially in our endemic context, tuberculosis must be evoked usually. This will improve the prognosis of our patients.

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