Geriatric Foot Problems and Related Factors in Two Provinces of Korea

Kim, Shinmi; Ahn, Jaehong; Choi, Sookhee; Lee, Yunjung

doi:10.4040/jkan.2010.40.2.161

J Korean Acad Nurs. 2010 Apr;40(2):161-171. Korean.
Published online Apr 30, 2010.
https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2010.40.2.161

Original Article

Geriatric Foot Problems and Related Factors in Two Provinces of Korea

Shinmi Kim,¹ Jaehong Ahn,² Sookhee Choi,³ and Yunjung Lee⁴

Author information

Author notes

Copyright and License

- ¹Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Changwon National University, Changwon, Korea.
- ²Director, DoctorGood Rehabilitation Clinic, Daegu, Korea.
- ³Professor, Department of Psychology, Woosuk University, Wanju, Korea.
- ⁴Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Woosuk University, Wanju, Korea.
Address reprint requests to: Lee, Yunjung. Department of Nursing, Woosuk University, 333 Samrye-ro, Samrye-eup, Wanju 565-701, Korea. Tel: 82-63-290-1544, Fax: 82-63-290-1548, Email: yjlee@woosuk.ac.kr

Received January 22, 2009; Revised February 02, 2009; Accepted November 27, 2009.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to identify the prevalence, risk factors and clinical meanings of geriatric foot problems and to suggest implications for the future.

Methods

One hundred eighty nine elderly aged 60 and over from institution as well as community were investigated for their foot conditions by means of a questionnaire including general characteristics, self care capacity, risk factors, foot problem checklist, X-ray, podoscopy and foot scan. Descriptive statistics and χ²-test was performed as appropriate utilizing SPSS version 14. Less than .05 of p-value was adopted as statistical significance level.

Results

All subjects had at least one kind of foot problem and the most prevalent ones were nail problems, foot deformities in order. Prevalence of foot pain and edema was relatively low.

Conclusion

Foot problem in elderly is prevalent and geriatric foot is expected to emerge as one of the most important problems in the geriatric field. Therefore strategies to deal with geriatric foot should be developed and practiced for better quality of life in later life.

Keywords

Elderly; Foot

Tables

Table 1
General Characteristics (N=189)

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Table 2
Health Factors related Foot Problems (N=189)

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Table 3
Foot Problems by Medical Assessment (N=189)

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Table 4
Foot Problems by Clinical Assessment (N=189)

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Table 5
Differences of Foot Problems by General Characteristics (N=189)

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Table 6
Differences of Foot Problems by Health Factors (N=189)

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