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A Prospective Epidemiologic Survey on the Prevalence of Foot Disease in Hong Kong

Michael Kam Tim Chan, MD^* and Lai-Yin Chong, MD for the Achilles Project Working Group in Hong Kong

^* Medical Officer, Yaumatei Dermatology Clinic, Yaumatei, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
Consultant Dermatologist, Yaumatei Dermatology Clinic, Yaumatei, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.

Mailing address: Yaumatei Dermatology Clinic, 12/F, Yaumatei Specialist Clinic (Extension), 143 Battery St, Yaumatei, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.

Abstract

A prospective epidemiologic survey on the prevalence of foot disease in Hong Kong found foot disease in 64% of patients screened. All of the patients were ethnically Chinese. Of the conditions specified in the questionnaire, fungal foot infection, tinea pedis, and toenail onychomycosis were the most frequently encountered conditions, followed by metatarsal corns, eczema, psoriasis, and pes planus. Vascular disease, osteoarticular pathology, diabetes mellitus, obesity, atopy, and participation in sports were the main factors coexisting with the foot conditions. Of the study population, 17% and 21% reported that their quality of life was affected by pain and discomfort, respectively. These percentages are much lower than those obtained in other studies; it may therefore be inferred that foot complaints are being neglected by the ethnic Chinese population in Hong Kong. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 92(8): 450-456, 2002)