Prevalence of podiatric conditions seen in Special Olympics athletes: A comparison of USA data to an international population

Abstract Background Persons with intellectual disabilities frequently have podiatric conditions. Limited information exists on their prevalence in international cohorts of Special Olympics (SO) athletes. Findings from multiple United States (US) venues are compared to those from athletes screened at...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Foot (Edinburgh, Scotland) Scotland), 2015-03, Vol.25 (1), p.5-11
Main Authors: Jenkins, David W, Cooper, Kimbal, Heigh, Evelyn G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Athletes - statistics & numerical data
Biomechanics
Child
Cohort Studies
Disabled Persons - statistics & numerical data
Female
Foot deformities
Foot Deformities - diagnosis
Foot Deformities - epidemiology
Foot Deformities - physiopathology
Foot Diseases - diagnosis
Foot Diseases - epidemiology
Foot Diseases - physiopathology
Foot Joints
Humans
Intellectual disabilities
Internationality
Male
Middle Aged
Orthopedics
Prevalence
Range of Motion, Articular
Special Olympics
United States
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract Background Persons with intellectual disabilities frequently have podiatric conditions. Limited information exists on their prevalence in international cohorts of Special Olympics (SO) athletes. Findings from multiple United States (US) venues are compared to those from athletes screened at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece (ATHENS). Methods Data from Fit Feet screenings from 2096 ATHENS participants was compared to 7192 US participants. Results Frequently noted in the ATHENS population were motion restriction in both the ankle and the first metatarsal phalangeal joint (1st MTPJ), pes planus, metatarsus adductus, brachymetatarsia, hallux abducto valgus (HAV), onychomycosis, onychocryptosis, and tinea pedis. ATHENS differed from the US cohort as HAV and restricted ankle joint and 1st MTPJ joint motion was less frequent. Significantly more tinea pedis, xerosis, and hyperhidrosis were present in the ATHENS population. Discussion/Conclusion SO athletes have a higher prevalence of podiatric structural conditions compared to the general population, and some vary between ATHENS versus US. Less prevalent in ATHENS was HAV, and restricted motion in both the ankle and 1st MTPJ. This may reflect differences due to varied clinical observers. The higher rates of several dermatological conditions in ATHENS may reflect venue seasonal climate, or social factors.
ISSN:0958-2592
1532-2963
DOI:10.1016/j.foot.2014.09.001