Plantar Hyperkeratotic Patterns in Older Patients

• Main Authors: Caleb Araguas García, Francisco Corbi Soler
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taiwan Society of Geriatric Emergency and Critical Medicine (TSGECM) 2017-12-01
• Series: International Journal of Gerontology
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1873959816301417

Summary: Background: Plantar hyperkeratotic lesions are very common among the older population. Very little has been documented on the frequency or distribution of such lesions. The aim of this study is to analyse the location of plantar hyperkeratoses in a group of the older population, defining the patterns of the most significant manifestations thereof and analysing the correlation between them and different contributing factors. Methods: It is a descriptive correlational study conducted on 850 participants who attended the Bellvitge Podiatry Hospital in Barcelona province, Spain, in 2015. Hallux valgus, lesser toe deformities and hyperkeratoses were documented on a topographical map of the foot. The existence of plantar hyperkeratoses was correlated with different variables from the medical record of each participant. Results: Of the 850 participants, 529 (62%) presented with hyperkeratotic lesions. In all, 87 hyperkeratotic patterns were documented, the most common of which were the medial side of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) (8.7%), the medial side of the first MTPJ plus the medial side of the first interphalangeal joint (IPJ) (8.5%) and the medial side of the first IPJ (7.7%). In addition, the hyperkeratoses were associated with hallux valgus (p < 0.01) and with lesser deformities of the second (p < 0.04), third (p < 0.04) and fourth (p < 0.05) toes. Conclusions: The most common hyperkeratotic patterns were found on the first radius, corresponding to 36% of total lesions. In addition, hyperkeratotic lesions appear to be associated with the presence of hallux valgus and with lesser deformities of the second, third and fourth toes. Keywords: hyperkeratosis, foot, elderly