Prevalence of Ankle and Foot Conditions in a Multi-Ethnic Community Presenting to Primary Health Care Centres in Qatar

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and characteristics of consultations due to ankle and foot conditions in Qatar. Methods: Data was obtained retrospectively from the computerized records in health centres of Primary Health Care Corporation from January to December 2019.The data was stratified by age, sex, nationality and different subgroups of causes. Results: There were a total 792043 consultations in phcc during the period of January to December 2019. The consultations were mostly non traumatic at 15525 (58%). Of these 26862 (3.3%) were related to ankles and foot problems, the most commonly documented code was foot pain 5960 (22.1%) followed by foot injury 3325 (12.3%). Males (54%) accounted for slightly more consultations than females 46%. Being outside normal weight range accounted for almost 40% of consultations (Obese 34.7% and underweight 25.8%). The prevalence of ankle of foot problems was 186 per 10000 registered patients. Conclusion: The burden of ankle and/or foot encounters in primary care is not insubstantial and includes all ages, gender and nationality. The authors recommend further training of practitioners in proper coding.