title: Prevalence of podiatric conditions seen in Special Olympics athletes: a comparison of USA data to an international population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Persons with intellectual disabilities frequently have podiatric conditions. Limited information exists on their prevalence in international cohorts of Special Olympics (SO) athletes. Findings from multiple United States (US) venues are compared to those from athletes screened at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece (ATHENS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from Fit Feet screenings from 2096 ATHENS participants was compared to 7192 US participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Frequently noted in the ATHENS population were motion restriction in both the ankle and the first metatarsal phalangeal joint (1st MTPJ), pes planus, metatarsus adductus, brachymetatarsia, hallux abducto valgus (HAV), onychomycosis, onychocryptosis, and tinea pedis. ATHENS differed from the US cohort as HAV and restricted ankle joint and 1st MTPJ joint motion was less frequent. Significantly more tinea pedis, xerosis, and hyperhidrosis were present in the ATHENS population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SO athletes have a higher prevalence of podiatric structural conditions compared to the general population, and some vary between ATHENS versus US. Less prevalent in ATHENS was HAV, and restricted motion in both the ankle and 1st MTPJ. This may reflect differences due to varied clinical observers. The higher rates of several dermatological conditions in ATHENS may reflect venue seasonal climate, or social factors.
authors.affiliation: Arizona School of Podiatric Medicine, College of Health Sciences - Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA. Electronic address: djenki@midwestern.edu.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Sciences Program, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Kimbal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: Arizona School of Podiatric Medicine, College of Health Sciences - Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Evelyn G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Heigh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D056352:Athletes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005530:Foot Deformities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D033023:Foot Joints; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Biomechanics; Foot deformities; Intellectual disabilities; Special Olympics