Stolt Minna, Eränen Maria, Katajisto Jouko, Rosio Riitta
Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
The Wellbeing Services County of Satakunta, Pori, Finland.
J Foot Ankle Res. 2025 Sep;18(3):e70086. doi: 10.1002/jfa2.70086.
Foot health and lower extremity function are important issues for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, relatively little is known about foot health among people with MS. The potential association between foot health and lower extremity function in particular has seldom been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse the level of self-reported foot health and lower extremity function in people with MS and to identify possible associating factors.
A cross-sectional survey study design was applied. The data were collected online April-May 2024 from members of a national patient association with the Self-administered Foot Health Assessment Instrument, the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) as well as a background information form. The data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics.
The participants (n = 969, response rate 23%) had many foot problems of which dry skin (73%), cold feet (65%), leg cramps (61%), foot pain (59%) and thickened toe nails (51%) were the most common. Participants experienced mild to moderate lower extremity-related functional limitation (mean 51, SD 22, range 0-80). Foot health among people with MS associated with gender, being on sick leave due to foot problems, perceived knowledge levels of foot self-care, and self-evaluated level of foot health. Moreover, weak but significant correlation between foot health and lower extremity function was found, indicating that a poorer foot health was associated with more difficulties in performing lower extremity-related actions.
The results suggest that not only are foot problems among people with MS extremely prevalent, but they also impact functional ability. People with MS could benefit from regular rehabilitative care that includes access to podiatric care. Future research is needed to develop and evaluate strategies to support self-care in lower extremity health among people with MS.
足部健康和下肢功能是多发性硬化症（MS）患者的重要问题。然而，人们对MS患者的足部健康了解相对较少。特别是足部健康与下肢功能之间的潜在关联很少被研究。因此，本研究旨在分析MS患者自我报告的足部健康水平和下肢功能，并确定可能的相关因素。
采用横断面调查研究设计。2024年4月至5月通过在线方式从一个全国性患者协会的成员那里收集数据，使用自我管理的足部健康评估工具、下肢功能量表（LEFS）以及一份背景信息表。对数据进行描述性和推断性统计分析。
参与者（n = 969，回复率23%）有许多足部问题，其中皮肤干燥（73%）、脚部发冷（65%）、腿部抽筋（61%）、足部疼痛（59%）和趾甲增厚（51%）最为常见。参与者经历了轻度至中度的下肢相关功能受限（平均51，标准差22，范围0 - 80）。MS患者的足部健康与性别、因足部问题休病假、足部自我护理的认知水平以及自我评估的足部健康水平相关。此外，发现足部健康与下肢功能之间存在微弱但显著的相关性，表明足部健康状况较差与进行下肢相关动作时更多的困难相关。
结果表明，MS患者的足部问题不仅极为普遍，而且还会影响功能能力。MS患者可以从包括获得足病护理在内的定期康复护理中受益。未来需要开展研究来制定和评估支持MS患者下肢健康自我护理的策略。
