Self‐assessed foot health in older people with rheumatoid arthritis—A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Background Foot and ankle problems are especially common in patients with RA, causing significant disability and limitation in daily activities. Previous studies have mainly focussed on foot problems in the adult population whilst the evidence of foot health in the older population is scarce. Objectives The aim of the study was to analyse self‐assessed foot health and associated factors in older people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods The study applied a descriptive cross‐sectional survey design and recruited older people with RA from the member register of one patient association. We collected the data in January 2019 with the Self‐administered Foot Health Assessment Instrument, and sociodemographic and foot‐related background questions and analysed the data with descriptive and inferential statistics. Results Older people with RA had many self‐reported foot problems. The most common problems were foot pain, dry skin and thickened toenails. In addition, structural deformities of the foot were prevalent. The level of foot health associated with the amount of daily walking or standing, and using walking or running shoes outdoors. Individuals who had consulted a physician due to their foot problems had more structural deformities in the foot. Foot problems limited their ability to perform daily activities. Conclusions This study demonstrates that older people with RA not only live with a long‐term health condition, but they also live with complex foot problems. Older people with RA need healthcare services due to their foot problems. There is a need to develop and implement care practices to alleviate foot pain and support and promote foot health and functional ability in older people with RA. Implication for practice Understanding the nature and consequences of foot problems in older people with RA allows healthcare professionals to perform more accurate clinical foot evaluations and develop effective interventions to prevent further foot problems.

Romatoid Artrit'li Bireylerde Ayak/Ayak Bileği ile İlgili Fonksiyonel Durumun İncelenmesi

“…Because elderly with RA live with complex foot problems, they need health services related to foot problems. There is also need to develop and implement care practices to relieve foot pain and support foot health and functional ability in elderly with RA [25]. Parallel to current studies, our study once again emphasized the negative effects of foot/ankle problems in individuals with RA and revealed that these problems increase with increasing age.…”

Foot self‐care competence reported by patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross‐sectional study

“…Foot self-care is not possible for every patient because of physical restrictions or deficits in foot self-care knowledge [ 12 ]. Therefore, in the health care system, there should be equal access to podiatry services when foot self-care is decreased or impossible.…”

“…The most common foot problems are joint disorders, toenail problems such as thickened toenails and skin problems such as corns and calluses on the toes and soles of the feet [ 7 , 11 ]. Moreover, foot pain in PwRA is reported to be prevalent and in some studies even 70% of PwRA is reporting persistent foot pain [ 3 , 12 ].…”

The prevalence of foot health problems in people living with a rheumatic condition: a cross-sectional observational epidemiological study

“…Half of the respondents had visited a health care professional because of foot problems. Previous evidence suggests that people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease frequently consider their feet to be neglected in the context of broader medical consultations [ 34 , 35 ]. The findings of this study appear to substantiate this, with a high proportion of respondents seeking additional support outside of specialist centre consultations.…”