Foot Arch Height and Quality of Life in Adults: A Strobe Observational Study.

Daniel López-López,Marta Losa-Iglesias,Ricardo Becerro-De-Bengoa-Vallejo,Juan Vilar-Fernández,Cesar Calvo-Lobo,Gonzalo Barros-García,Patricia Palomo-López

doi:10.3390/ijerph15071555

Abstract

Background: Variations in the foot structure related with the high or low arch are identified common lower limb conditions, and it is supposed to be the effect on the quality of life (QoL) associated to foot health in adults. Here we aimed to determine the relationships between relatively high and low feet arches and QoL. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out. Among 138 adults enrolled in the study, 66 had a high arch, 21 had a low arch, and 51 were within the normal range. Changes related to the foot structure were analyzed using Area Calc version 2.6 software, and data obtained using the Foot-Health-Status-Questionnaire (FHSQ), whose domains were compared between foot arch groups by means of the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The results of the FHSQ comparison between the three groups within the sample population did not show any statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) for any domains of specific foot (pain, function, general health and footwear) and general (general health, physical activity, social function and vigor) health-related QoL. Conclusions: Specific foot and general health-related QoL did not seem to be influenced by the foot arch height between high, normal and low feet arches heights. Nevertheless, further studies with higher sample sizes and matched-paired groups should be carried out.

Highlights

The foot structure performs a key role in maintaining gait posture and balance
Our alternative hypothesis has shown to be refused and the foot arch height did not seem to be related to quality of life (QoL) impairments related to the foot and overall health
To comparing the findings it is worth showing that the various groups are meaningful in the adults and representative with anterior reports in the literature review that have associated with medial longitudinal arches (MLAs) with non-symptomatic foot [27], plantar pressure, and foot arch height [28,29], children and impact of MLA [30], concluding that changes in MLA can lead to health problems

Summary

Introduction

The foot structure performs a key role in maintaining gait posture and balance. most common variations in foot structure result in orthopedic conditions. Variations in the foot structure related with the high or low arch are identified common lower limb conditions, and it is supposed to be the effect on the quality of life (QoL). Changes related to the foot structure were analyzed using Area Calc version 2.6 software, and data obtained using the Foot-Health-Status-Questionnaire (FHSQ), whose domains were compared between foot arch groups by means of the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The results of the FHSQ comparison between the three groups within the sample population did not show any statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) for any domains of specific foot (pain, function, general health and footwear) and general (general health, physical activity, social function and vigor) health-related QoL. Conclusions: Specific foot and general health-related QoL did not seem to be influenced by the foot arch height between high, normal and low feet arches heights. Further studies with higher sample sizes and matched-paired groups should be carried out

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion