Foot pain and foot health in an educated population of adults: results from the Glasgow Caledonian University Alumni Foot Health Survey

Abstract Background Foot pain is common amongst the general population and impacts negatively on physical function and quality of life. Associations between personal health characteristics, lifestyle/behaviour factors and foot pain have been studied; however, the role of wider determinants of health on foot pain have received relatively little attention. Objectives of this study are i) to describe foot pain and foot health characteristics in an educated population of adults; ii) to explore associations between moderate-to-severe foot pain and a variety of factors including gender, age, medical conditions/co-morbidity/multi-morbidity, key indicators of general health, foot pathologies, and social determinants of health; and iii) to evaluate associations between moderate-to-severe foot pain and foot function, foot health and health-related quality-of-life. Methods Between February and March 2018, Glasgow Caledonian University Alumni with a working email address were invited to participate in the cross-sectional electronic survey (anonymously) by email via the Glasgow Caledonian University Alumni Office. The survey was constructed using the REDCap secure web online survey application and sought information on presence/absence of moderate-to-severe foot pain, patient characteristics (age, body mass index, socioeconomic status, occupation class, comorbidities, and foot pathologies). Prevalence data were expressed as absolute frequencies and percentages. Multivariate logistic and linear regressions were undertaken to identify associations 1) between independent variables and moderate-to-severe foot pain, and 2) between moderate-to-severe foot pain and foot function, foot health and health-related quality of life. Results Of 50,228 invitations distributed, there were 7707 unique views and 593 valid completions (median age [inter-quartile range] 42 [31–52], 67.3% female) of the survey (7.7% response rate). The sample was comprised predominantly of white Scottish/British (89.4%) working age adults (95%), the majority of whom were overweight or obese (57.9%), and in either full-time or part-time employment (82.5%) as professionals (72.5%). Over two-thirds (68.5%) of the sample were classified in the highest 6 deciles (most affluent) of social deprivation. Moderate-to-severe foot pain affected 236/593 respondents (39.8%). High body mass index, presence of bunions, back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, hip pain and lower occupation class were included in the final multivariate model and all were significantly and independently associated with moderate-to-severe foot pain (p < 0.05), except for rheumatoid arthritis (p = 0.057). Moderate-to-severe foot pain was significantly and independently associated lower foot function, foot health and health-related quality of life scores following adjustment for age, gender and body mass index (p < 0.05). Conclusions Moderate-to-severe foot pain was highly prevalent in a university-educated population and was independently associated with female gender, high body mass index, bunions, back pain, hip pain and lower occupational class. Presence of moderate-to-severe foot pain was associated with worse scores for foot function, foot health and health-related quality-of-life. Education attainment does not appear to be protective against moderate-to-severe foot pain

Thirty-day mortality after hip fractures: has anything changed?

Bone density insufficiency is the main cause for significant musculoskeletal trauma in the elderly population following low-energy falls. Hip fractures, in particular, represent an important public health concern taking into account the complicated needs of the patients due to their medical comorbidities as well as their rehabilitation and social demands. The annual cost for the care of these patients is estimated at around 2 billion pounds (£) in the UK and is ever growing. An increased early and late mortality rate is also recognised in these injuries together with significant adversities for the patients. Lately, in order to improve the outcomes of this special cohort of patients, fast-track care pathways and government initiatives have been implemented. It appears that these measures have contributed in a steady year-by-year reduction of the 30-day mortality rates. Whether we have currently reached a plateau or whether an ongoing reduction in mortality rates will continue to be observed is yet to be seen

Epidemiology of posterior heel pain in the general population: cross-sectional findings from the clinical assessment study of the foot

OBJECTIVE: To identify the population prevalence of posterior heel pain (HP), related disability, and associated factors. METHODS: A total of 9,334 adults ages ≥50 years were mailed a questionnaire. Participants reporting foot pain in the last month shaded the foot pain location on a manikin. The Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index assessed disabling foot pain. Population prevalence of any, bilateral, and disabling posterior HP was estimated using weighted logistic regression accounting for nonresponse. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated between posterior HP and age, sex, neighborhood deprivation, occupational class (professional, intermediate, and manual), body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2) ), physical activity, heel height, and diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: A total of 5,109 questionnaires were received (adjusted response 56%). Six hundred seventy-five respondents (13%) reported posterior HP, of whom 382 had bilateral symptoms. A total of 398 (8%) reported disabling posterior HP. Posterior HP in either foot was associated with increasing BMI (25.0-29.9 [OR 1.58], 30.0-34.9 [OR 2.13], and ≥35.0 [OR 4.09]) and with manual occupations (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.47-2.62). Bilateral posterior HP was associated with increasing BMI (25.0-29.9 [OR 1.79], 30.0-34.9 [OR 2.43], and ≥35.0 [OR 5.79]), diabetes mellitus (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.07-2.05), and manual occupations (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.48-3.30). Disabling posterior HP was associated with increasing BMI (25.0-29.9 [OR 1.44], 30.0-34.9 [OR 2.50], and ≥35.0 [OR 4.69]), age (≥75 years OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.01-1.96), manual occupations (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.35-2.88), and diabetes mellitus (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.04-1.95). High physical activity was negatively associated with posterior HP in either heel (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.33-0.56), bilateral posterior HP (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.25-0.49), and disabling posterior HP (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.23-0.46). CONCLUSION: Posterior HP is prevalent and associated with obesity, manual occupations, and physical inactivity. Prospective studies should assess the roles of obesity in causation and weight loss in treatment

Imaging the patient with heel pain

Heel pain is a common presentation in primary care and affects a wide range of the population but predominantly elderly, obese and athletic patients. History and clinical assessment are paramount in the management of this condition but the presentation can confound clinicians, necessitating the use of imaging to confirm or clarify the diagnosis when there is clinical uncertainty. This article illustrates the various conditions producing heel pain to help clinicians determine the appropriate imaging modality to image the common causes of heel pain. A linked article detailing the management of heel pain is included in this issue (https://doi.org/10.12968/hmed.2019.80.4.196)