Foot Health and Lower Extremity Function in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

IF 2.2 3区医学 Q1 ORTHOPEDICS

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research Pub Date : 2025-09-01 DOI:10.1002/jfa2.70086

Minna Stolt, Maria Eränen, Jouko Katajisto, Riitta Rosio

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Abstract

Introduction: Foot health and lower extremity function are important issues for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, relatively little is known about foot health among people with MS. The potential association between foot health and lower extremity function in particular has seldom been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse the level of self-reported foot health and lower extremity function in people with MS and to identify possible associating factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey study design was applied. The data were collected online April-May 2024 from members of a national patient association with the Self-administered Foot Health Assessment Instrument, the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) as well as a background information form. The data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: The participants (n = 969, response rate 23%) had many foot problems of which dry skin (73%), cold feet (65%), leg cramps (61%), foot pain (59%) and thickened toe nails (51%) were the most common. Participants experienced mild to moderate lower extremity-related functional limitation (mean 51, SD 22, range 0-80). Foot health among people with MS associated with gender, being on sick leave due to foot problems, perceived knowledge levels of foot self-care, and self-evaluated level of foot health. Moreover, weak but significant correlation between foot health and lower extremity function was found, indicating that a poorer foot health was associated with more difficulties in performing lower extremity-related actions.

Conclusion: The results suggest that not only are foot problems among people with MS extremely prevalent, but they also impact functional ability. People with MS could benefit from regular rehabilitative care that includes access to podiatric care. Future research is needed to develop and evaluate strategies to support self-care in lower extremity health among people with MS.

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多发性硬化症患者的足部健康和下肢功能：一项横断面调查研究

足部健康和下肢功能是多发性硬化症（MS）患者的重要问题。然而，人们对多发性硬化症患者足部健康的了解相对较少，尤其是足部健康与下肢功能之间的潜在联系很少被研究。因此，本研究旨在分析多发性硬化症患者自我报告的足部健康和下肢功能水平，并确定可能的相关因素。方法：采用横断面调查研究设计。这些数据是在2024年4月至5月从一个国家患者协会的成员那里通过自我管理的足部健康评估工具、下肢功能量表（LEFS）和背景信息表格在线收集的。用描述统计和推理统计对数据进行分析。结果：参与者（n = 969，应答率23%）有许多足部问题，其中最常见的是皮肤干燥（73%）、脚冷（65%）、腿抽筋（61%）、足痛（59%）和趾甲增厚（51%）。参与者经历轻度至中度下肢相关功能限制（平均51，标准差22，范围0-80）。多发性硬化症患者足部健康与性别、因足部问题请病假、足部自我保健认知知识水平和足部健康自我评价水平相关此外，足部健康与下肢功能之间存在微弱但显著的相关性，表明较差的足部健康与进行下肢相关动作的更多困难相关。结论：研究结果表明，足部问题不仅在多发性硬化症患者中非常普遍，而且还会影响功能能力。多发性硬化症患者可以从包括足部护理在内的常规康复护理中受益。未来的研究需要制定和评估支持MS患者下肢健康自我保健的策略。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research ORTHOPEDICS-

CiteScore

4.50

自引率

10.30%

发文量

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, the official journal of the Australian Podiatry Association and The College of Podiatry (UK), is an open access journal that encompasses all aspects of policy, organisation, delivery and clinical practice related to the assessment, diagnosis, prevention and management of foot and ankle disorders. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research covers a wide range of clinical subject areas, including diabetology, paediatrics, sports medicine, gerontology and geriatrics, foot surgery, physical therapy, dermatology, wound management, radiology, biomechanics and bioengineering, orthotics and prosthetics, as well the broad areas of epidemiology, policy, organisation and delivery of services related to foot and ankle care. The journal encourages submissions from all health professionals who manage lower limb conditions, including podiatrists, nurses, physical therapists and physiotherapists, orthopaedists, manual therapists, medical specialists and general medical practitioners, as well as health service researchers concerned with foot and ankle care. The Australian Podiatry Association and the College of Podiatry (UK) have reserve funds to cover the article-processing charge for manuscripts submitted by its members. Society members can email the appropriate contact at Australian Podiatry Association or The College of Podiatry to obtain the corresponding code to enter on submission.