Factors related to prevalence of hallux valgus in female university students: a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
We investigated the prevalence of hallux valgus (HV) and examined its association with various factors in a cross-sectional study of Japanese female university students.


METHODS
A questionnaire survey of foot symptoms, lifestyle, and body mass index (BMI) was administered to 343 women who provided informed consent at a women's university. Footprints were obtained and bone density was measured. Associations of HV with various factors were analyzed by logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Big toe pain was reported in 26.5% of the women. HV (HV angle, ≥15°) was present in the left foot in 22.4%, the right foot in 20.7%, and unilaterally or bilaterally in 29.7% of women. Mild HV (HV angle, ≥15° to <20°) was noted in the left foot and right foot in 13.4% and 13.1% of women, respectively; no severe HV (HV angle, ≥40°) was observed. HV was associated with big toe pain (adjusted OR: 3.56, 95% CI: 2.01-6.32), history of HV in the mother or maternal grandmother (adjusted OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.19-5.02), and history of HV in other family members (adjusted OR: 3.09, 95% CI: 1.35-7.06). Moderate HV was associated with big toe pain (adjusted OR: 4.58, 95% CI: 2.17-9.66) and history of HV in the mother or maternal grandmother (adjusted OR: 3.36, 95% CI: 1.40-8.07). The proportion of women with big toe pain increased significantly with HV severity.


CONCLUSIONS
HV was present in about 30% of female university students. Young women with big toe pain or a family history of HV should be evaluated for HV.
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mukogawa Women's University.
Hiroto
H
Okuda
Sachiko
S
Juman
Ai
A
Ueda
Tomohiro
T
Miki
Masayuki
M
Shima
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006215:Hallux Valgus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010146:Pain; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014034:Toes / Q000473:pathology; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult