ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Metatarsalgia can be considered to be a common complaint in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to compare quality of life (QoL) between participants with different metatarsalgia types and matched-paired healthy controls. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional analysis on a sample of 124 participants of median age ± interquartile range of 55 ± 22 years was carried out in the University Clinic of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, Ferrol, Spain. They presented primary (n = 31), secondary (n = 31) or iatrogenic (n = 31) metatarsalgia, or were matched-paired healthy controls (n = 31). METHODS: Self-reported domain scores were obtained using the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) and were compared between the participants with metatarsalgia and between these and the healthy controls. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were shown in all FHSQ domains (P ≤ 0.001). Post-hoc analyses showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) between the metatarsalgia types in relation to the matched healthy control group, such that the participants with metatarsalgia presented impaired foot-specific and general health-related QoL (lower FHSQ scores). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that presence of metatarsalgia had a negative impact on foot health-related QoL. Foot-specific health and general health were poorer among patients with metatarsalgia, especially among those with secondary and iatrogenic metatarsalgia, in comparison with matched healthy controls.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Foot problems are believed to reduce quality of life and are increasingly present. Even among young adults of university age, untreated foot problems can lead to postural and mobility problems. Accordingly, our aim here was to determine the relationship between foot health and quality of life and general health among male and female university students. DESIGN AND SETTING: Observational cross-sectional quantitative study conducted at the Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Clinic of the University of Coruña, Ferrol, Spain. METHODS: A sample of 112 participants of median age 22 years came to a health center, where self-reported data were registered, including professional activity, and scores obtained through the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) were compared. RESULTS: In Section One of the FHSQ, the university students recorded lower scores of 66.66 in the footwear domain and 60 in the general foot health domain and higher scores of 84.37 in the foot pain domain and 93.75 in the foot function domain. In Section Two, they obtained lower scores of 60 in the overall health domain and 62.50 in the vigor domain and higher scores of 100 in the physical activity and 87.50 in the social capacity domain. Differences between males and females were evaluated using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, which showing statistical significance (P < 0.05) regarding the dimensions of footwear and general foot health. CONCLUSIONS: These university students’ quality of life relating to foot health was poor. This appears to be associated with the university period, regardless of gender.

ABSTRACT Objective: to explore attitudes towards patients' self-reported data about foot health-related beliefs from a behavioural and attitudinal perspective. Methods: a sample of 282 participants of a mean age of 39.46 ± 16.026 came to a health centre where self-reported demographic, clinical characteristics and beliefs relating to foot health data were registered, informants' completed all the stages of the research process. Results: the results of the analysis revealed an 8-factor factorial structure based on (1) podiatric behaviours, (2) the intention to carry out protective behaviour, (3) attitudinal beliefs, (4) normative beliefs, (5) needs, (6) apathy, (7) self-care, and (8) the general perception of foot health. They all explained 62.78% of the variance, and were considered as independent variables in a regression analysis to determine which provided the best explanations for the importance attributed to foot health. Conclusions: the participants in the study revealed a positive attitude in relation to foot health care and responsible behaviour.

RESUMEN Objetivo: explorar las actitudes relacionadas con datos autoinformados sobre las creencias de la salud del pie desde una perspectiva actitudinal. Método: una muestra de 282 participantes edad media 39.46 ± 16.026 acudieron a un centro de salud donde se registraron datos autoinformados de las características demográficas, características clínicas y creencias relacionadas con la salud del pie, completándose todas las etapas del proceso de investigación. Resultados: los resultados del análisis revelaron una estructura factorial de 8 factores basado en (1) conductas podológicas, (2) la intención de llevar a cabo una conducta de protección, (3) las creencias actitudinales, (4) las creencias normativas, (5) las necesidades, (6) la apatía, (7) el autocuidado, y (8) la percepción general de salud podal. Todos ellos explicaron un 62,78% de la varianza, y fueron considerados como variables independientes en una ecuación de regresión para determinar cuáles de ellos explicaban mejor la importancia atribuida a la salud del pie. Conclusiones: los participantes en el estudio revelaron una actitud positiva en relación al cuidado de la salud del pie y al comportamiento responsable.

RESUMO Objetivo: explorar as atitudes em relação aos dados auto-relatados dos pacientes sobre crenças relacionadas à saúde do pé, desde uma perspectiva comportamental e atitudinal. Métodos: uma amostra de 282 participantes com idade média de 39,46 ± 16,026 chegaram a um centro de saúde onde foram registradas características demográficas, clínicas e crenças auto-relatadas referentes a dados de saúde do pé, os quais completaram todas as fases do processo de pesquisa. Resultados: os resultados da análise revelaram uma estrutura fatorial de 8 fatores baseada em (1) comportamentos podiátricos, (2) a intenção de realizar comportamentos protetores, (3) crenças atitudinais, (4) crenças normativas, (6) apatia, (7) autocuidado, e (8) a percepção geral da saúde do pé. Todos eles explicaram 62,78% da variância e foram considerados como variáveis independentes em uma análise de regressão para determinar quais forneceram as melhores explicações para a importância atribuída à saúde do pé. Conclusões: os participantes do estudo revelaram uma atitude positiva em relação à saúde do pé e comportamento responsável.

RESUMO Objetivo: explorar as atitudes em relação aos dados auto-relatados dos pacientes sobre crenças relacionadas à saúde do pé, desde uma perspectiva comportamental e atitudinal. Métodos: uma amostra de 282 participantes com idade média de 39,46 ± 16,026 chegaram a um centro de saúde onde foram registradas características demográficas, clínicas e crenças auto-relatadas referentes a dados de saúde do pé, os quais completaram todas as fases do processo de pesquisa. Resultados: os resultados da análise revelaram uma estrutura fatorial de 8 fatores baseada em (1) comportamentos podiátricos, (2) a intenção de realizar comportamentos protetores, (3) crenças atitudinais, (4) crenças normativas, (6) apatia, (7) autocuidado, e (8) a percepção geral da saúde do pé. Todos eles explicaram 62,78% da variância e foram considerados como variáveis independentes em uma análise de regressão para determinar quais forneceram as melhores explicações para a importância atribuída à saúde do pé. Conclusões: os participantes do estudo revelaram uma atitude positiva em relação à saúde do pé e comportamento responsável.

ABSTRACT Objective: to explore attitudes towards patients' self-reported data about foot health-related beliefs from a behavioural and attitudinal perspective. Methods: a sample of 282 participants of a mean age of 39.46 ± 16.026 came to a health centre where self-reported demographic, clinical characteristics and beliefs relating to foot health data were registered, informants' completed all the stages of the research process. Results: the results of the analysis revealed an 8-factor factorial structure based on (1) podiatric behaviours, (2) the intention to carry out protective behaviour, (3) attitudinal beliefs, (4) normative beliefs, (5) needs, (6) apathy, (7) self-care, and (8) the general perception of foot health. They all explained 62.78% of the variance, and were considered as independent variables in a regression analysis to determine which provided the best explanations for the importance attributed to foot health. Conclusions: the participants in the study revealed a positive attitude in relation to foot health care and responsible behaviour.

RESUMEN Objetivo: explorar las actitudes relacionadas con datos autoinformados sobre las creencias de la salud del pie desde una perspectiva actitudinal. Método: una muestra de 282 participantes edad media 39.46 ± 16.026 acudieron a un centro de salud donde se registraron datos autoinformados de las características demográficas, características clínicas y creencias relacionadas con la salud del pie, completándose todas las etapas del proceso de investigación. Resultados: los resultados del análisis revelaron una estructura factorial de 8 factores basado en (1) conductas podológicas, (2) la intención de llevar a cabo una conducta de protección, (3) las creencias actitudinales, (4) las creencias normativas, (5) las necesidades, (6) la apatía, (7) el autocuidado, y (8) la percepción general de salud podal. Todos ellos explicaron un 62,78% de la varianza, y fueron considerados como variables independientes en una ecuación de regresión para determinar cuáles de ellos explicaban mejor la importancia atribuida a la salud del pie. Conclusiones: los participantes en el estudio revelaron una actitud positiva en relación al cuidado de la salud del pie y al comportamiento responsable.

This article presents an overview of the work done over the past 12 years in a collaboration between the school communities at various primary and secondary schools and the practical experience managers working in the Preventive and Community Podiatry area of the Podiatry degree at the University of Seville (Spain). The article presents several strategies, which were carried out in the fields of Foot Health for All and Preventive and Community Podiatry as part of the Hermes Research Group (CTS-601) aimed at promoting general foot health. Foot examinations were conducted in a total of 4,630 school pupils, with foot problems being confirmed in 677 of them. Some 7,145 members of the school community were also helped, with these people being reached through educational activities around foot care. The aim of the initiative was to prevent foot damage among children, which could have a harmful impact on their quality of life as adults.

Este trabajo presenta un resumen de lo realizado en los últimos 12 años de colaboración entre la comunidad escolar de varios centros de enseñanza primaria y secundaria y los/las responsables de las prácticas de la asignatura Podología Preventiva y Comunitaria del Grado en Podología, que se imparte en la Universidad de Sevilla. Se muestran diferentes estrategias llevadas a cabo desde las líneas de investigación Salud Podológica para Todos y Podología Preventiva y Comunitaria, integradas en el Grupo de Investigación Hermes (CTS-601), dirigidas a promocionar la salud podológica en general. Se ha explorado un total de 4630 escolares y se han confirmado alteraciones podológicas en 677. También se han beneficiado 7145 miembros de la comunidad escolar a quienes se ha llegado a través de actividades educativas sobre el cuidado de los pies. Su desarrollo trata de impedir que se generen lesiones, en la edad adulta, que perjudiquen la calidad de vida.

This article presents an overview of the work done over the past 12 years in a collaboration between the school communities at various primary and secondary schools and the practical experience managers working in the Preventive and Community Podiatry area of the Podiatry degree at the University of Seville (Spain). The article presents several strategies, which were carried out in the fields of Foot Health for All and Preventive and Community Podiatry as part of the Hermes Research Group (CTS-601) aimed at promoting general foot health. Foot examinations were conducted in a total of 4,630 school pupils, with foot problems being confirmed in 677 of them. Some 7,145 members of the school community were also helped, with these people being reached through educational activities around foot care. The aim of the initiative was to prevent foot damage among children, which could have a harmful impact on their quality of life as adults.

Este trabajo presenta un resumen de lo realizado en los últimos 12 años de colaboración entre la comunidad escolar de varios centros de enseñanza primaria y secundaria y los/las responsables de las prácticas de la asignatura Podología Preventiva y Comunitaria del Grado en Podología, que se imparte en la Universidad de Sevilla. Se muestran diferentes estrategias llevadas a cabo desde las líneas de investigación Salud Podológica para Todos y Podología Preventiva y Comunitaria, integradas en el Grupo de Investigación Hermes (CTS-601), dirigidas a promocionar la salud podológica en general. Se ha explorado un total de 4630 escolares y se han confirmado alteraciones podológicas en 677. También se han beneficiado 7145 miembros de la comunidad escolar a quienes se ha llegado a través de actividades educativas sobre el cuidado de los pies. Su desarrollo trata de impedir que se generen lesiones, en la edad adulta, que perjudiquen la calidad de vida.