Disease-related outcomes influence prevalence of falls in people with rheumatoid arthritis

•The occurrence of falls is high in people with rheumatoid arthritis.•Falls are most associated with disease-related outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis.•Physical performance tests (BBS, TUG and SST5), HAQ-DI and mainly CDAI may be used to assess fall risk in clinical practice. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of falls, with potential adverse outcomes. There is a considerable variation across studies regarding the prevalence of falls and its correlation with clinical data, disease-related outcomes and physical performance tests. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of falls and its association with clinical data, disease-related outcomes and physical performance tests. In this cross-sectional study, 113 RA patients were divided into 3 groups — “non-fallers”, “sporadic fallers” and “recurrent fallers” — and compared in terms of clinical data, Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), lower-limb tender and swollen joint count, disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index [HAQ-DI]), Foot Function Index (FFI), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed-up-and-go Test (TUG) and 5-Time Sit Down-To-Stand Up Test (SST5). Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the associations between the studied variables and the occurrence of falls, estimating odds ratios (ORs). We also analyzed the correlation between disease outcome measures (HAQ-DI and CDAI) and physical tests (BBS, TUG, SST5). Falls and fear of falling were reported by 59 (52.21%) and 71 (64.5%) patients, respectively. Significant associations were found between “recurrent fallers” and vertigo (OR=3.42; P=0.03), fear of falling (OR=3.44; P=0.01), low income (OR=2.02; P=0.04), CDAI (OR=1.08; P