A clinical practice guideline for the management of the foot and ankle in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis causes progressive joint destruction in the long term, causing a deterioration of the foot and ankle. A clinical practice guideline has been created with the main objective of providing recommendations in the field of podiatry for the conservative management of rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, healthcare professionals involved in foot care of adults with rheumatoid arthritis will be able to follow practical recommendations. A clinical practice guideline was created including a group of experts (podiatrists, rheumatologists, nurses, an orthopaedic surgeon, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist and patient with rheumatoid arthritis). Methodological experts using GRADE were tasked with systematically reviewing the available scientific evidence and developing the information which serves as a basis for the expert group to make recommendations. Key findings include the efficacy of chiropody in alleviating hyperkeratotic lesions and improving short-term pain and functionality. Notably, custom and standardized foot orthoses demonstrated significant benefits in reducing foot pain, enhancing physical function, and improving life quality. Therapeutic footwear was identified as crucial for pain reduction and mobility improvement, emphasizing the necessity for custom-made options tailored to individual patient needs. Surgical interventions were recommended for cases which were non-responsive to conservative treatments, aimed at preserving foot functionality and reducing pain. Moreover, self-care strategies and education were underscored as essential components for promoting patient independence and health maintenance. A series of recommendations have been created which will help professionals and patients to manage podiatric pathologies derived from rheumatoid arthritis.

Measurement properties of the Foot Function Index (FFI) questionnaire: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Large numbers of people are subject to alterations and pathologies in the foot. To quantify how these problems of foot function affect the quality of life, clinicians and researchers have developed measures such as the Foot Function Index (FFI). Our aim is to determine the methodological quality of the FFI including adaptations to other languages. DATA SOURCES: The studies considered in this review were extracted from the PubMed, Embase and CINAHL databases. The inclusion criteria were followed: (1) studies of patients with no previous foot or ankle pathology and aged over 18 years; (2) based on English-language patient-reported outcome measures that assess foot function; (3) the patient-reported outcome measures should present measurement properties based on COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) criteria. REVIEW METHODS: The systematic review was conducted following the COSMIN criteria to establish the methodological quality of the original FFI, together with its variants and adaptations. The last search was carried out in May 2024. RESULTS: Of the 1994 studies obtained in the preliminary search, 20 were eligible for inclusion in the final analysis. These results are the validations and cross-cultural adaptations to the following languages: the original FFI has cross-cultural adaptation in 13 languages and the FFI-Revised Short Form has been adapted and validated for use in 2 languages. CONCLUSION: In terms of methodological quality, the FFI-Revised Short Form questionnaire is a valuable instrument for evaluating ankle and foot function and could usefully be expanded to be available in more languages.

Predictive factors for foot pain in the adult population.

BACKGROUND: Foot pain has been associated to factors like: fat, body mass index, age increased, female gender and the presence of pathologies. Although evidence is limited. The purpose is to determine the predictive factors for foot pain in the adult population. METHODS: From January to December 2021, 457 patients were > 18 years, gave signed informed consent to take part to this cross sectional study. All completed demographic data and various questionnaires related to pain: Foot Function Index, EuroQoL-5D and Visual Analogue Scale (foot pain). Anthropometric measurements were obtained using McPoil platform and foot posture was assessed by the Foot Posture Index (FPI). To determine whether a volume change is a predictive factor for foot pain, a parameter was established: the volumetric index for footwear (VIF). Factors linked to the presence of pain, including the considered VIF variables, were analyzed through multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Among the study population, 40.7% were male and 59.3% female. The mean age of 39.06 years and a body mass index of 25.58 Kg/cm2. The logistic regression model had a classification capability of 72.4%, a sensitivity of 72.3% and a specificity of 73%, in which, the predictors considered were the variables found to have a significant association with FFI-pain > 45 points,, showed that younger women, with a higher BMI, higher values of right FPI (pronation), poorer overall perceived health and with problems in walking were more likely to experience foot pain. CONCLUSION: Predictive factors for foot pain in the adult population include gender, age, Body Mass Index, FPI on the right foot, perceived health and mobility. Clinical implication, the presented measure aids physicians in assessing their patients´ foot pain likelihood.

Aetiology, epidemiology and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries in badminton players: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The present study has two main goals: to conduct a systematic review of musculoskeletal injuries experienced by badminton players, and to examine the management of such injuries. Searches were conducted of the PROSPERO, PubMed, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases, from their inception until March 2023. The papers analysed were all based on a study population consisting of individuals aged 18 years or more, diagnosed with badminton-related injuries. The methodological quality assessments was using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and REVMAN. A total of 28 studies were included in the systematic review. In total, the analysis included 2435 participants. Of these athletes, 35.6% (1012) were female and 64.4% (1503) were male. By type of injury, sprains were the most commonly studied and the most prevalent, accounting for 36.06% of the sample. These were followed by muscle injuries, representing 23.86% of the total. Injuries to the joints were the least prevalent, accounting for 4.97% of the sample. Lower limb injuries accounted for 52.15% of the total. Of these, ankle injuries were the most common. Despite the generally low quality of the studies considered, the evidence suggests that musculoskeletal injuries, especially to the lower limb, most commonly affect badminton players of all levels.

Transcultural Adaptation and Validation of the Spanish Version of the Visual Analogue Scale for the Foot and Ankle (VASFA).

BACKGROUND: The main aim of this study is to perform a cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Visual Analogue Scale for the Foot and Ankle (VASFA) questionnaire, creating a Spanish-language version (VASFA-Sp), and to determine the measurement properties of this instrument. METHODS: VASFA was cross-culturally translated into Spanish following the guidelines of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). The study sample was composed of 228 participants who were recruited from February to May 2022. All were at least 18 years old, gave signed informed consent to take part and properly completed the Foot and Ankle Ability Measures-Sp and VASFA-Sp questionnaires. Cronbach's alpha and test/re-test reliability values were calculated. Structural validity was assessed via exploratory factor analysis. RESULTS: The 228 patients included in the final analysis presented the following characteristics: 35.53% were male and 64.47% were female; the mean age was 35.95 (18-81) years; and the mean body mass index was 23.79. Internal consistency was excellent. The Cronbach's alpha for VASFA-Sp was 0.96 and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.932 (95% CI; 0.84 to 0.97). Exploratory factor analysis identified one main factor. CONCLUSIONS: VASFA-Sp is a reliable, valid and sensitive questionnaire that is suitable for measuring perceived foot and ankle function impairment in a Spanish-speaking population.

Herramientas de medición de la patología ungueal: revisión literaria / Measuring tools for nail pathology: literature review

El sistema ungueal conforma una compleja unidad anatómica fundamental en el ser humano, susceptible de sufrir numerosas alteraciones debido a procesos patológicos, tanto sistémicos como locales. El estudio de la patología ungueal es un tema de especial interés, sin embargo, en el ámbito clínico todavía resulta complicado analizar parámetros como área concreta de extensión, anatomía comprometida o porcentaje de afectación, dificultando poder realizar una valoración objetiva y establecer pautas efectivas de tratamiento, debiendo recurrir, en numerosas ocasiones, al examen histopatológico. En este sentido, los índices de medición se posicionan como una herramienta que permitiría valorar estos factores de forma numérica, reproducible y simple. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar las herramientas de medición de las diferentes patologías ungueales descritas en la literatura. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura por pares en cuatro bases de datos atendiendo a criterios del Critical Appraisal Skills Programme España (CASPe). Los hallazgos describieron la existencia de 12 herramientas de medición de patología ungueal. Las conclusiones señalaron, finalmente, el Nail Psoriasis Severity Index o índice NAPSI como método más utilizado para valorar la severidad de la psoriasis ungueal, pese a los reportes obtenidos en sus modificaciones posteriores. En cuanto a la onicomicosis, el Scoring Clinical Index for Onychomycosis o índice SCIO resultó ser el método objetivo más útil en la práctica clínica. Para la paroniquia crónica, el Índice de paroniquia crónica se distinguió como una buena alternativa a las opciones de valoración previas (AU)

The nail system forms a complex anatomical unit fundamental in humans, susceptible to numerous alterations due to both systemic and local pathological processes. The study of nail pathology is a subject of special interest, however, in the clinical setting, it is still difficult to analyse parameters such as specific area of extension, anatomy involved or percentage of involvement, making it difficult to carry out an objective assessment and establish effective treatment guidelines, having to resort, on numerous occasions, to histopathological examination. In this sense, measurement indices are positioned as a measurement tool that would allow these factors to be assessed in a numerical, reproducible and simple way. The aim of this study was to identify measurement tools for the different nail pathologies described in the literature. A peer-review of the literature was conducted in four databases according to Critical Appraisal Skills Programme España (CASPe) criteria. The findings described the existence of 12 nail pathology measurement tools. Conclusions finally pointed out the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index or NAPSI index as the most widely used method to asses the severity of nail psoriasis, despite reports of subsequent modifications. For onychomycosis, the Scoring Clinical Index for Onychomycosis or SCIO index appeared to be the most useful objective method in clinical practice. For chronic paronychia, the Chronic Paronychia Index standed out as a good alternative to previous assessment options (AU)

Influencia de los soportes plantares en jugadores de hockey hierba en su resistencia aeróbica / No disponible

Existen numerosos estudios referentes a hockey hierba y condición aeróbica, pero no que relacione o haga referencia la utilización de soportes plantares en la práctica deportiva por parte de los jugadores y la mejora de su condición física (resistencia aeróbica, Test de Cooper). El propósito de este estudio es verificar que la utilización de soportes plantares mejora su condición física (resistencia aeróbica), puesto que al actuar sobre la distancia podemos aumentar el volumen de oxígeno. Material y métodos: jugadores de Hockey Hierba sometido a estudio han sido 20 (n=20). Participan: Equipo de Hockey de Benalmádena (Málaga) (grupo experimental). Componentes: 12. Y Equipo Málaga91 UMA (grupo control). Componentes: 8. Edad comprende el rango de los 15-28 años, aproximadamente. Sexo masculino. La mayoría tenían experiencia en este tipo de estudio. Resultados: los más significativos destacar que el grupo experimental mejoría de Vo2 de 3,8 (dt =2,5) frente a una mejoría de 1.o (dt=1,7) en el grupo control. Siendo las diferencias estadísticamente significativas (t (19) = 2,748, p= 0,013). Estas dos variables (“Grupo experimental y Pie griego”) explican el 40% de la variabilidad del cambio producido en el consumo de la diferencia de Vo2. Conclusiones: dado el número reducido de la muestra, en un estudio posterior sería conveniente realizar de nuevo las mediciones ampliando dicha muestra(AU)

Several studies exist on field hockey and aerobic condition, but none of them associates or references the use of custom-made foot orthoses for the sport and its improvement on physical condition (aerobic resistance, Cooper’s test) The aim of this study is to verify that the use of custom-made foot orthoses improves the physical condition (aerobic resistance) because by dealing with the distance, the volume of oxygen increases. Material and methods: Twenty field hockey players (n= 20). Teams: 20 members of Benalmadena Hockey Team (Experimental group) 8 members of Malaga 91 UMA Team (Control group). Age range: 15-28 years old approximately. Genre: Masculine. Most of the people had experience in this kind of study. Results: Improvement in the Experimental group was V02 of 3, 8 (dt=2, 5) against 1, 0 (dt=1, 7) in the Control group. Differences were statistically significant (t (19) =2,748 p=0,013). These two variables (Experimental group and Greek Foot) explain 40% of the variability of the change produced in the intake with a difference of V02. Conclusions: Because of the reduced size of the sample, it should be appropriate to extend the sample in future studies(AU)