Author/Editor		Novak, Primož; Burger, Helena; Marinček, Črt; Meh, Duška
Title		Influence of foot pain on walking ability of diabetic patients
Type		članek
Source		J Rehabil Med
Vol. and No.		Letnik 36, št. 6
Publication year		2004
Volume		str. 249-52
Language		eng
Abstract		Objective: To assess foot pain and its correlation with walking ability in diabetic patients. Subjects: Two groups of type 2 diabetic patients (30 with symptomatic neuropathy and 30 without symptomatic neuropathy) and 30 healthy volunteers were studied. Methods: Pain was assessed by the pain sub-scale of the Foot Function Index. Internal consistency for the pain sub-scale was tested. Walking ability was assessed by the 6-minute walking test. Results: The pain was worse in diabetic patients, the pain sub-scale scores differed between the groups (p < 0.05). High internal consistency was found for the pain sub-scale of the Foot Function Index. Results of the 6-minute walking test differed among the 3 groups: healthy volunteers performed best, and diabetic patients with symptomatic neuropathy worst (p < 0.001). Foot pain correlated moderately with the result of walking test (r = -0.449, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The pain sub-scale of the Foot Function Index is suitable for the assessment of pain in diabetic patients. Patients with severe foot pain have more difficulties when walking :ong distances than patients with less severe or without any pain.
Descriptors		DIABETES MELLITUS DIABETIC NEUROPATHIES FOOT PAIN WALKING EXERCISE TEST