Abstract:
Background: Hypertension is considered a risk factor
for flat feet as it causes posterior tibial tendon
dysfunction. The objectives of this study were to
identify the prevalence and associated factors of flat feet
among patients with hypertension.
Methods: A cross sectional study with systematic
sampling was done in three selected hypertension
clinics at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Patients
with hypertension above 40 years of age with no other
recognized risk factors were enrolled. Socio demographic details and clinical information were
collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered
questionnaire. Arch index was obtained by a static
footprint on the Harris mat. Body weight and height
were measured using standard instruments. Body Mass
Index was calculated. Descriptive statistics, Independent
t- test, Chi-square test and Pearson correlation were
used for data analysis.
Results: Of the 403 participants enrolled, 53.8% werefemales. The mean arch index of right and left sides
were 0.26883 ± 0.3477 and 0.26993 ± 0.03484
respectively. Overall prevalence of flat feet was 51.6%;
it was right sided in 32% and left sided in 37.7%.
Higher Body Mass Index was associated with presence
of flat feet (p=0.001) and arch index (p<0.001). There
was no significant association with gender or duration
of hypertension.
Conclusions: Prevalence of flat feet among patients
with hypertension seems to be greater than reported in
non-hypertensive individuals with otherwise similar
characteristics. Increasing body mass index even below
the threshold of 30 kg/m2
seems to be associated with
higher risk.
