Factors associated with prevalent and incident foot pain: data from the Tasmanian Older Adult Cohort Study
Study design: Longitudinal observational study.
Main outcome measures: Prevalent foot pain, incident foot pain after 5 years.
Methods: Potential correlates included demographic factors, anthropometry, leg strength, metabolic factors, steps per day (using pedometer), pain at 6 other sites, and psychological wellbeing. Data were analysed using log binomial models.
Results: Participants were aged 50–80 years (mean 63 years), 49% male, mean body mass index (BMI) 27.8 ± 4.7 at baseline. The prevalence of foot pain at baseline was 38% and the incidence of new pain over 5 years was 20%. BMI, pain at other sites (neck, hands, knees, pain at three or more sites), and poorer psychological wellbeing were independently associated with baseline foot pain. Baseline BMI and pain in the neck, hands, and knees were independently associated with incident foot pain; but change in weight or BMI, total number of painful joints and psychological wellbeing were not. Self-reported diabetes and cigarette smoking were not associated with prevalent or incident foot pain.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that greater body weight and joint pain at multiple sites were consistently associated with prevalent foot pain and predict incident foot pain. Addressing excess body mass and taking a global approach to the treatment of pain may reduce the prevalence and incidence of foot pain in older adults.
Funding
National Health & Medical Research Council
History
Publication title
MaturitasVolume
118Pagination
38-43ISSN
0378-5122Department/School
Menzies Institute for Medical ResearchPublisher
Elsevier Sci Ireland LtdPlace of publication
Customer Relations Manager, Bay 15, Shannon Industrial Estate Co, Clare, IrelandRights statement
© 2018. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Repository Status
- Open