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Abstract Number: 410

Experience of Finding Footwear and Factors Contributing to Footwear Choice in People with Gout

Angela Brenton-Rule1, Nicola Dalbeth2, Larry Edwards3 and Keith Rome4, 1Podiatry, AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand, 2University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand, 3University of Florida at Gainsville, Gainsville, FL, 4School of Clinical Science, Health & Rehabilitation Research Institute, AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand

Meeting: 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

Keywords: Foot wear and gout

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Session Information

Date: Sunday, October 21, 2018

Session Title: Orthopedics, Low Back Pain and Rehabilitation Poster – ACR/ARHP

Session Type: ACR/ARHP Combined Abstract Session

Session Time: 9:00AM-11:00AM

Background/Purpose: Gout frequently affects the foot, particularly the first metatarsophalangeal joint and Achilles tendon. People with gout commonly wear ill-fitting footwear that lacks cushioning and support, which may further contribute to foot pain and disability. Currently, there is limited understanding about the footwear experience in people with gout and what variables contribute to their footwear choice. The aim of this study was to understand footwear characteristics, experience of finding appropriate footwear, and factors contributing to decisions about footwear choice in people with gout.

Methods: We conducted a web-based survey of people visiting a gout patient education website. All survey participants self-reported a diagnosis of gout and were resident in the United States. The 14-item survey included questions to elicit demographic and clinical characteristics, type of footwear worn, level of difficulty in finding appropriate footwear, and factors contributing to choices about footwear.

Results: There were 83 survey respondents. Respondents were predominately European ethnicity (n=70, 84%), male (n=48, 58%), and aged between 46-75 years old (n=61, 73%). Thirty-nine percent (n=32) were newly diagnosed (<12 months), 43% (n=35) had gout for 1-10 years, and 19% (n=16) had disease for more than 10 years. Most respondents (81%) had experienced at least one flare in the past three months. Medications included non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (n=24, 29%), allopurinol (n=34, 41%), colchicine (n=24, 29%), and corticosteroids (n=9, 11%). Gout flares in the feet were reported by 77 (93%) respondents, mostly in the big toe joint (n=59, 73%), and 73 (88%) reported current foot pain. Tophi affecting the feet were reported by 29 (35%) respondents. Questions about footwear were completed by 76 participants. The majority of respondents (n=49, 64%) reported that they had difficulty in finding footwear. Closed-in athletic shoes (n=66, 88%), sturdy walking shoes or boots (n=60, 79%), and casual closed-in slip-on shoes (n=48, 63%) were the most frequently worn footwear. Orthopaedic or customised shoes were worn least often (n=12, 16%). Comfort, fit, support, and ease to put on/off were the features most often rated as important or very important features when choosing footwear (Table).

Conclusion: For people with gout, foot involvement is almost universal, and difficulty finding suitable footwear is a common experience. Comfort, fit, support, and ease of donning shoes are the key features that people with gout consider important when choosing footwear.

Table: Features of importance in choosing footwear, n=76

Features

Not important

Slightly important

Important

Very important

Comfort

1 (1)

1 (1)

13 (17)

61 (80)

Style

8 (11)

30 (39)

28 (37)

10 (13)

Fit

0 (0)

1 (1)

22 (29)

53 (70)

Support

4 (5)

12 (16)

21 (28)

39 (51)

Cost

10 (13)

20 (26)

29 (38)

17 (22)

Weight

9 (12)

34 (45)

27 (36)

6 (8)

Color

19 (25)

23 (30)

28 (37)

6 (8)

Material

14 (18)

33 (43)

21 (28)

8 (11)

Fastenings

21 (27)

27 (36)

19 (25)

9 (12)

Non-slip

11 (14)

22 (29)

29 (38)

14 (18)

Heel height

23 (30)

19 (25)

11 (14)

23 (30)

Ease to put on/off

2 (3)

17 (22)

27 (36)

30 (39)


Disclosure: A. Brenton-Rule, None; N. Dalbeth, None; L. Edwards, None; K. Rome, None.

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Brenton-Rule A, Dalbeth N, Edwards L, Rome K. Experience of Finding Footwear and Factors Contributing to Footwear Choice in People with Gout [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2018; 70 (suppl 10). https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/experience-of-finding-footwear-and-factors-contributing-to-footwear-choice-in-people-with-gout/. Accessed June 28, 2022.
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