Foot problems are thought to be common in older persons, yet very little population-based information exists on the prevalence of foot disorders, and the influence of foot disorders on physical limitations and functional disability. We propose to examine the role of foot disorders and foot pain in lower extremity limitations and disability in the population based Framingham Study. We will link a comprehensive assessment of foot disorders and foot pain to functional measures, such as performance measures and walking ability.
Our aims are: (1) to establish the prevalence of foot disorders and foot pain in men and women across a wide age spectrum in a population-based group, the Original Framingham Cohort and the Framingham Offspring Cohort; (2) to examine whether foot disorders and foot pain are related to lower extremity physical limitations, and further, to examine whether individuals ascribe physical limitations to foot disorders in this cross-sectional study; and (3) to evaluate whether foot disorders are associated with physical disability, and whether the rate of disability in those with foot disorders is similar to those with other lower extremity disorders, such as knee osteoarthritis. Most studies examining foot pain have focused solely on clinical patients instead of community subjects, and few have examined specific limitations attributed to foot pain in the community. In addition to extensive data on confounders, the Framingham cohort has verified medical diagnoses available to evaluate the impact of comorbidities. While foot disorders and foot pain will be evaluated as part of this grant, functional limitations and disability are part of routine evaluations of Framingham cohort members. This study will provide essential information on prevalence estimates of foot disorders and location of foot pain, and how these may relate to functional limitations and disability, perhaps allowing insight into preventive actions. Further, this study will advance current knowledge in a timely and cost-effective manner, requiring no time for patient recruitment and limited further data collection. Finally, this study may provide new public health information of the importance of attribution of functional morbidity in populations and the impact of foot disorders upon lower extremity disability. A greater understanding of foot disorders and pain may lead to better understanding of the prevention of mobility limitations and disability.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AR047853-03
Application #
6721165
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-EDC-3 (01))
Program Officer
Panagis, James S
Project Start
2002-09-01
Project End
2007-03-31
Budget Start
2004-04-01
Budget End
2005-03-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$394,955
Indirect Cost
Name
Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged
Department
Type
DUNS #
030832075
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02131
Golightly, Yvonne M; Hannan, Marian T; Nelson, Amanda E et al. (2018) Relationship of Joint Hypermobility with Ankle and Foot Radiographic Osteoarthritis and Symptoms in a Community-Based Cohort. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) :
Awale, Arunima; Hagedorn, Thomas J; Dufour, Alyssa B et al. (2017) Foot Function, Foot Pain, and Falls in Older Adults: The Framingham Foot Study. Gerontology 63:318-324
Dufour, Alyssa B; Losina, Elena; Menz, Hylton B et al. (2017) Obesity, foot pain and foot disorders in older men and women. Obes Res Clin Pract 11:445-453
Menz, Hylton B; Dufour, Alyssa B; Katz, Patricia et al. (2016) Foot Pain and Pronated Foot Type Are Associated with Self-Reported Mobility Limitations in Older Adults: The Framingham Foot Study. Gerontology 62:289-95
Golightly, Yvonne M; Dufour, Alyssa B; Hannan, Marian T et al. (2016) Leg Muscle Mass and Foot Symptoms, Structure, and Function: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 71:385-90
Awale, Arunima; Dufour, Alyssa B; Katz, Patricia et al. (2016) Link Between Foot Pain Severity and Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 68:871-6
Hsu, Yi-Hsiang; Liu, Youfang; Hannan, Marian T et al. (2015) Genome-wide association meta-analyses to identify common genetic variants associated with hallux valgus in Caucasian and African Americans. J Med Genet 52:762-9
Riskowski, Jody L; Hagedorn, Thomas J; Dufour, Alyssa B et al. (2015) Associations of Region-Specific Foot Pain and Foot Biomechanics: The Framingham Foot Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 70:1281-8
Golightly, Yvonne M; Hannan, Marian T; Dufour, Alyssa B et al. (2015) Factors associated with hallux valgus in a community-based cross-sectional study of adults with and without osteoarthritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 67:791-8
Dufour, Alyssa B; Casey, Virginia A; Golightly, Yvonne M et al. (2014) Characteristics associated with hallux valgus in a population-based foot study of older adults. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 66:1880-6

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