Influence of foot pain on frailty symptoms in an elderly population: a case-control study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Frailty is a condition that can increase the risk of falls. In addition, foot disorders can negatively influence elderly people, thus affecting their condition of frailty. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether foot pain can influence a greater degree of frailty. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at the University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. METHODS: A sample older than 60 years (n = 52), including 26 healthy subjects and 26 foot pain patients, was recruited. Frailty disability was measured using the 5-Frailty scale and the Edmonton Frailty scale (EFS). RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the total EFS score and in most of its subscales, according to the Mann-Whitney U test (P < 0.05). In addition, foot pain patients presented worse scores (higher 5-Frailty scores) than did healthy patients, regarding matched-paired subjects (lower EFS scores). With regard to the rest of the measurements, there were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). The highest scores (P < 0.001) were for fatigue on the 5-Frailty scale and the EFS, and for the subscale of independence function in EFS. CONCLUSIONS: These elderly patients presented impairment relating to ambulation and total 5-Frailty score, which seemed to be linked to the presence of frailty syndrome and foot disorders.

Ageing feet and plantar arch characteristics of the Thai elderly

Background: Ageing feet may lead to painful deformity and disability. There are different patterns of degenerative changes among each population. Objectives: To determine the prevalence, characteristics, and related factors of ageing foot disorders in healthy Thai older persons. Methods: A cross-section analytic study was done at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, during September 2006 – August 2007. Healthy volunteers aged between 60-80 years old were recruited from urban areas of Bangkok. Medical status, musculoskeletal foot problems, plantar arch, and footwear used were assessed. Footprints were taken from standing, weight bearing position, and calculated for Staheli arch index. Factors for the foot disorders were analyzed. Results: There were 108 men and 105 women with a mean age = 68.7±5.4 years, mean body mass index (BMI) = 24.6±3.4 kg/m². Foot deformities were 87% (hallux valgus 45.5%, mallet toe 45%, hammer toe 25%, and claw toe 21.5%). Hallux valgus was more severe in women, having arch index value increasing with the severity. No other demographic or biomechanical variables including footwear types were found associated with foot deformities. More than 85% of the subjects had foot callus related to deformities and tight shoes. Thirty subjects (14%) had foot pain (1/5 of women, 1/20 of men). The pain resulted from plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, callus, metatarsalgia, and improper footwear. Subjects with plantar fasciitis had higher BMI and higher arch index. Pes planus were more common in women (42% vs. 32%). Only 9% had pes cavus, all of when were men. The Staheli arch index showed good reliability in discriminating the plantar arch types. Conclusions: Ageing feet caused problems, mostly in women. Hallux valgus related to pes planus. Plantar fasciitis associated with overweight and pes planus.