The prevalence of self-reported lower limb and foot health problems experienced by participants with systemic lupus erythematosus: Results of a UK national survey.
Objective The main aim of this survey was to determine the frequency of self-reported lower limb or foot and ankle complications experienced by participants with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A secondary aim was to determine the frequency of treatments that have been received or that participants with SLE may like to receive if offered. Method A quantitative, cross-sectional, self-reported survey design was utilized. The developed survey was checked for face and content validity prior to patient partner cognitive debriefing in order to ensure usability, understanding of the process of completion and of the questions posed. The full protocol for survey development has been published previously. Results This is the first comprehensive national UK survey of lower limb and foot health problems reported by participants with SLE. A high prevalence of vascular, dermatological and musculoskeletal complications was reported by survey respondents. Additionally, whilst the relative prevalence of sensory loss was low, a quarter of people reported having had a fall related to changes in foot sensation demonstrating a previously unknown rate and cause of falls. Conclusion Complications related to vascular, dermatological and musculoskeletal health are identified as particularly prevalent in participants with SLE. Further, there is a suggestion that the provision of interventions to maintain lower limb health is highly varied and lacks national standardization, despite there being a strong indication of participant reported need. The findings of this work can be used to inform care guideline development in addition to identifying areas for future research.
1 Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, UK.|2 Department of Podiatry, Solent NHS Trust, UK.
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Cherry
3 NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, UK.
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Alcacer-Pitarch
4 Department of Rheumatology, Royal Bournemouth/Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
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Hopkinson
5 Department of Rheumatology, Royal Blackburn Hospital, UK.
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Teh
3 NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, UK.
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Vital
6 NIHR Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
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CJ
Edwards
7 Private podiatrist, Verwood, UK.
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A
Blake
8 School of Health Sciences, University of Salford, UK.
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Williams
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000293:injuries*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D057566:Self Report; D006113:United Kingdom
Systemic lupus erythematosus; foot; infection; mobility; pain; survey