Correlation among functionality and balance assessment instruments in rheumatoid arthrits patients

AbstractRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease, chronic and progressive, which can cause pain, decreased mobility, physical strength and activity, leading to changes in proprioception, postural balance and gait, which increase the risk of falls in these patients. The present study aimed to verify if there´s correlation among functionality and balance tests in RA patients. This study was conducted with a cross-section sample of 99 patients diagnosed with RA of both sexes. Assessment instruments fall risk were used: Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Test "Timed Up and Go" (TUG), 6 Minutes Walking Test (6MWT) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) or Guralnik Battery Test. Made Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for normality of distribution and Spearman correlation, with significance level of p