Abstract
BackgroundTo determine characteristics of footwear worn by people with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE).MethodsTwenty-two people with SLE and twenty matched healthy controls participated in a cross-sectional study. Objective assessments of footwear included: fit, style, structure, motion control, cushioning, and wear. Footwear was classified as poor, average or good based on a standardised tool. Participants completed 100mm visual analogue scales for foot pain and footwear comfort and suitability. Participants with SLE were asked to indicate which footwear features were important to them using a validated checklist.ResultsNo differences were observed between groups for footwear fit, age, style, heel height, forefoot flexion or cushioning (all P>0.05). Compared to controls, a greater number of participants with SLE wore shoes with worn tread (65% vs. 91%, P=0.041), wore shoes with a lower motion control scale (median: 5.0 vs. 1.0, P=0.003), and rated their footwear as less comfortable (median: 90mm vs. 78mm, P=0.024) and less suitable (median: 88mm vs. 76mm, P=0.030). Participants with SLE experienced greater foot pain than controls (median: 17mm vs. 0mm, P=0.038). Comfort (95%), fit (95%) and style (86%) were identified as the most important footwear features by people with SLE.ConclusionsCompared to control participants, people with SLE wear shoes that are more worn and lack motion control. They also report greater foot pain and report their shoes to be less comfortable and suitable. These findings highlight the need for a further focus on the role of footwear in the management of foot problems in people with SLE.
Highlights
To determine characteristics of footwear worn by people with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
There was no significant difference between footwear worn by people with SLE and controls in terms of fit, style, classification, longitudinal profile, forefoot flexion point and cushioning
The most common footwear style worn by both groups was walking shoes (n=7 (32%) SLE, n=7 (35%) controls), followed by open-toed shoes, including sandals (n=6, (27%) SLE, n=5 (25%) controls) and flip flops (n=3 (14%) SLE, n=1 (5%)
Summary
To determine characteristics of footwear worn by people with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Foot problems in people with SLE include impaired peripheral blood flow [5, 6], peripheral neuropathy [7], toe Footwear is important in providing protection, accommodating deformity and assisting function [14]. Different footwear characteristics, including heel height, lack of support and poor fit, may result in increased pain as well as the development of musculoskeletal complications such as osteoarthritis and hallux valgus in otherwise healthy people , as well as foot pain and impairment in people with inflammatory arthritis, including gout [15] and rheumatoid arthritis[16]. 52% of people with SLE reported difficulty wearing different shoes [11]. A subjective global podiatric assessment of footwear found that 48% of people with SLE wore shoes deemed as ‘inappropriate’, compared with 35% of control participants [8]
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