%0 Journal Article
%T The clinical assessment study of the foot (CASF): study protocol for a prospective observational study of foot pain and foot osteoarthritis in the general population
%A Edward Roddy
%A Helen Myers
%A Martin J Thomas
%A Michelle Marshall
%A Deborah D'Cruz
%A Hylton B Menz
%A John Belcher
%A Sara Muller
%A George Peat
%J Journal of Foot and Ankle Research
%D 2011
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1757-1146-4-22
%X All adults aged 50 years and over registered with four general practices in North Staffordshire, UK, will be invited to participate in a postal Health Survey questionnaire. Respondents to the questionnaire who indicate that they have experienced foot pain in the preceding twelve months will be invited to attend a research clinic for a detailed clinical assessment. This assessment will consist of: clinical interview; physical examination; digital photography of both feet and ankles; plain x-rays of both feet, ankles and hands; ultrasound examination of the plantar fascia; anthropometric measurement; and a further self-complete questionnaire. Follow-up will be undertaken in consenting participants by postal questionnaire at 18 months (clinic attenders only) and three years (clinic attenders and survey participants), and also by review of medical records.This three-year prospective epidemiological study will combine survey data, comprehensive clinical, x-ray and ultrasound assessment, and review of primary care records to identify radiographic phenotypes of foot OA in a population of community-dwelling older adults, and describe their impact on symptoms, function and clinical examination findings, and their presentation, diagnosis and management in primary care.Symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) is common in the general population, affecting the daily lives of an estimated 10% of people aged over 60 years [1]. It has a major impact on the quality of later life (OA is one of the ten leading causes of disability-adjusted life years [2]), on health care systems and costs (e.g. annual GP consultation rate of 250 per 10,000 persons aged 15 years and over [3]), and on economic productivity [4]. An ageing population and the rising prevalence of important causes of OA (e.g. obesity) ensure that it is an increasing challenge for the future [5].The foot is the least studied joint complex affected by OA [6]. The prevalence of foot pain, problems and deformities (hallux valgus, arch
%U http://www.jfootankleres.com/content/4/1/22