Heel Pain and Comorbid Conditions in Obese Patients

Objectives: Plantar heel pain [PHP] is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders of the foot, yet its etiology is poorly understood. Although obesity is the most common cause of PHP, there is little information available about the prevalence and associated factors in obese patients with PHP. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of obesity associated co-morbidities in people with and without PHP. Methods: Obese and overweight patients with or without PHP were sought for this study. The two groups were then compared with regard to weight, hormone, and blood parameters. Diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive lung disease, asthma, smoking, varix, hemorrhoid, lumbago, constipation, osteoporosis, hormone replacement therapy, goiter, and gastroesophageal reflux. Findings: One hundred forty nine obese and overweight patients agreed to participate [34 with PHP and 115 without PHP]. Statistical analyses demonstrated that the PHP group had a longer duration of obesity than those without PHP. The PHP group had an increased prevalence of chronic obstructive lung disease, [p<0.01], hemorrhoid [p<0.01], lumbago [p<0.01], constipation [p <0.01], and gastroesophageal reflux [P<0.05], By contrast, the prevalence of asthma [p<0.05], and varix [p <0.01] were decreased in the PHP[+] group. No statistically significant difference in group prevalence was found for diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, smoking, osteoporosis, hormone replacement therapy, or goiter. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the duration of the obesity in obese patient may be important to the development of PHP in obese patients. The longer duration of obesity in the PHP group may also help to explain its association with co-morbidities such as chronic obstructive lung disease, hemorrhoid, lumbago, constipation, and gastroesophageal reflux.