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Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects both health of the feet, as to gait patterns. This study aimed to find out about foot problems and their impact on self‐perceived quality of life and related to foot health in Parkinson's patients compared to a group of healthy subjects and to measure it with Spanish Podiatry Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐S). It is about a case–control study in a sample of Parkinson's patients n = 62, healthy controls n = 62. The PHQ‐S was reported, it describes perception the subject has in each of podiatric 6 dimensions consulted, assessing appreciation of health status of interviewee's feet and a self‐rated the foot health score on the visual analog scale (VAS). There were statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in the dimensions that assessed problems with walking and moving, nail trimming, concern feet state, and affectation of quality of life related foot health. Regarding the self‐perception of state of their feet, Parkinson's patients perceive a worse state of health of their feet than healthy subjects. The mean value was 4.8 (SD 2.2) for Parkinson's patients and 3.8 (SD 2.3) for healthy subjects. In conclusion, patients with PD have problems in walking or moving, foot pain, difficulties in foot hygiene and in cutting for their nails, as well as the concern they suffer from deterioration in state of their feet affect them and decrease their quality of life. Podiatric problems in Parkinson's patients have a great impact in reducing quality of life related to foot health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: The Foot Function Index (FFI) is a valid, reliable, and widely used self-reported questionnaire for the foot. The purpose of this study was to provide evidence for the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the FFI (FFI-TR) among patients with foot disorders such as plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, pes planus, and hammertoe deformities. Materials and methods: One hundred and fifty-nine patients with foot disorders were enrolled. The psychometric properties of the previously translated and adapted FFI-TR were assessed. The internal consistency and test–retest reliability were evaluated. Construct validity was examined for correlations with the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Results: Cronbach’s alpha ranged between 0.821 and 0.938. Reproducibility was satisfactory, with intraclass correlation coefficient values between 0.960 and 0.985. Weak correlations were found between FFI-TR and some SF-36 subscales for validity (|rho| < 0.30). There was a ceiling effect for the activity limitation subscale. There were no floor effects for any items or application times. Good accuracy was determined for all scores. Conclusion: FFI-TR is a reliable and valid scale. This tool can be used in routine practice and clinical research for evaluating foot disorders and foot-related functional impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a foot disorder in adults secondary to an inflammatory response caused by repetitive micro-trauma. We evaluated and compared the impact on quality of life (QoL) related to foot health and general health between males and females with PF. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, patients with PF were recruited from a podiatry clinic. Physical examination, sociodemographic data, and the self-reported Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) were recorded. The FHSQ has three sections and provides two composite scores from 0 to 100. Higher scores (close to 100) reflect better QoL related to foot health and health in general; lower scores (close to 0) denote a worse QoL related to these health items. Results: One hundred patients (49 males [42.38 ± 14.065 years old] and 51 females [43.90 ± 14.305 years old]) were recruited. Section one of the FHSQ evaluates four foot domains, and significant differences (P<0.05) were shown for foot pain and footwear, with males having higher scores than females, but not for foot function and general foot health (P>0.05). Section two assesses four domains of general wellbeing, and significant differences (P<0.05) were shown for overall health, physical function, social capacity, and vigor, with males having higher scores than females. Conclusion: Females with PF showed a worse health-related QoL for foot pain, foot function, footwear, and general foot health than males. A better health-related QoL was also shown for males with PF than for females with regard to general health, physical activity, social capacity, and vigor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnancy is associated with physiological changes such as increased body mass index, postural changes, hormonal imbalance and changes in foot morphology. Due to an increased uterus and body mass, the centre of gravity is displaced anteriorly and superiorly as a means to produce and maintain stability and balance. An influx of relaxin mostly in the third trimester leads to ligament laxity which in turn causes the feet to become longer, flatter and broader. This structural change may remain permanent in some women. Structural changes, increased body weight and increased pressure in the lower limbs may also lead to lower limb oedema which makes it harder to find adequate fitting shoes and may be associated with causing or exacerbating foot pain in pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to determine the overall Foot Health Status (FHS) in pregnant women and also to compare the foot health status in the different trimesters. A quantitative approach, using a descriptive cross-sectional study design was utilized and a validated foot health status questionnaire was used. Data was analysed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 1.04 program and presented in the form of tables. All pregnant women had a poor foot health status in the area of vigour, particularly in the third trimester. In the third trimester, women's physical activity was diminished and they appeared to have greater footwear difficulties. However, it was found that despite having minimal foot pain, pregnant women maintained good foot function and good social capacity. The least amount of foot pain was felt in the second trimester. As a woman progresses in her pregnancy, her foot health status declined in the areas of footwear, physical activity and vigour. • The results of this study highlighted that pregnant women in the third trimester experienced the greatest amount of foot pain as compared to participants in the first and second trimester. • Difficulty in finding proper fitting shoes was increased in the third trimester relative to other trimesters. • Physical activity decreased in the third trimester and was highest in the first trimester. • As a woman progresses in her pregnancy, her foot health status declines, particularly in the areas of footwear, physical activity and vigour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The purpose of this study was to adapt and validate the Foot Function Index to the Spanish (FFI-Sp) following the guidelines of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Methods: A cross-sectional study 80 participants with some foot pathology. A statistical analysis was made, including a correlation study with other questionnaires (the Foot Health Status Questionnaire, EuroQol 5-D, Visual Analogue Pain Scale, and the Short Form SF-12 Health Survey). Data analysis included reliability, construct and criterion-related validity and factor analyses. Results: The principal components analysis with varimax rotation produced 3 principal factors that explained 80% of the variance. The confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable fit with a comparative fit index of 0.78. The FFI-Sp demonstrated excellent internal consistency on the three subscales: pain 0.95; disability 0.96; and activity limitation 0.69, the subscale that scored lowest. The correlation between the FFI-Sp and the other questionnaires was high to moderate. Conclusions: The Spanish version of the Foot Function Index (FFI-Sp) is a tool that is a valid and reliable tool with a very good internal consistency for use in the assessment of pain, disability and limitation of the function of the foot, for use both in clinic and research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]