Falls rate increase and foot dorsal flexion limitations are exhibited in patients who suffer from asthma: A novel case-control study.

Purpose: Based on the possible association between reduced foot dorsiflexion and high risk of falls, the main objective was to determine the ankle and 1º metatarsophalangeal joint (1stMTTP) dorsiflexion range of motion and falls rate in patients with asthma compared to healthy matched-paired controls.
Methods: A case-control study was carried out. Eighty participants were recruited and divided into patients with asthma (case group; n=40) and matched-paired healthy participants (control group; n=40). Foot dorsal flexion range of motion (assessed by the Weight-Bearing Lunge Test [WBLT]) and falls rate (evaluated as falls number during the prior year) were considered as the primary outcomes. Indeed, ankle dorsiflexion was measured by a mobile app (º) and a tape measure (cm) as well as 1stMTTP dorsiflexion was determined by and universal goniometer (º).
Results: Statistically significant differences (P<.05) showed that patients with asthma presented a greater falls rate than healthy participants and reduced bilateral ankle and 1stMTTP dorsiflexion ranges of motion than healthy participants, except for the left ankle dorsiflexion measured as degrees (P>.05). Conclusions: These study findings showed that a falls rate increase and bilateral foot dorsal flexion limitations of the ankle and 1stMTTP joints are exhibited in patients who suffer from asthma.

Introduction

Asthma may be considered as one of the most frequent chronic inflammatory diseases associated to an airways impairment which may worldwide affect up to 300 million individuals 1. Patients who suffer from asthma seem to present poor quality of life 2, depression and anxiety 3, as well as social, behavioral, and psychological well-being (4). Thus, further studies are necessary in order to control the asthma status and its consequences related to physical and psychological aspects 2.

Regarding the physical assessment of patients with asthma, spirometry parameters seem to be commonly used in order to evaluate the airways alterations 5. Indeed, the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC relationship seem to be commonly considered as the most used spirometry parameters to predict physiological measurements in patients with asthma 6.

In addition, thoracic mobility has been evaluated as an important physical measurement in patients who suffer from asthma 7. Asthmatic patients seem to present forwarded head and shoulders posture, reduced chest wall expansion, limited internal rotation of shoulders and reduced thoracic spine flexibility compared to non-asthmatic individuals 8. Despite there is a clear temporomandibular and neck range of motion limitation in asthmatic patients 9, there is a lack of knowledge addressing the existence of mobility alterations in the lower limbs from patients diagnosed with this condition.

Older adults who suffered from asthma seemed to present a high falls rate similar to older adults who suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 10. Nevertheless, there is a lack of studies comparing both patients with asthma and healthy subjects in the general population. In addition, foot dorsal flexion limitations, such as ankle and 1º metatarsophalangeal joint (1stMTTP), may increase the lack of coordination 11 and falls risk 12, being an excellent predictor for ambulation loss 13.

Recently, respiratory parameters alterations, such as reduced diaphragm contractility, have been related to chronic ankle instability 14. This association may suggest the presence of spirometry alterations 5,6 and high risk of falls 10 in patients with asthma. Consequently, it is plausible the existence of a relationship between respiratory muscles contractibility impairment and ankle instability 14 with reduced foot dorsiflexion range of motion and high risk of falls 11-13. Therefore, we hypothesize that patients with asthma will show a reduced foot dorsal flexion range of motion and a greater falls rate with respect to healthy subjects. Thus, the main objective of this research was to determine the ankle and 1stMTTP dorsiflexion range of motion and falls rate compared to healthy matched-paired controls. In addition, the second aims were to compare the kinesiophobia and spirometry parameters between patients with asthma and healthy participants.

Materials and Methods

Study design

This study was a case-control study in order to compare the foot dorsiflexion range of motion and the falls rate between patients who suffered from asthma and healthy controls. According to this design and the guidelines for reporting observational studies, The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement were followed 15.

Ethical statement

This study was approved by the ethics committee of the Universidade da Coruña (Spain). All participants signed the informed consent inform before their inclusion in the present research. In addition, the Helsinki declaration as well as all national and international ethical standards for human experimentation were respected 16,17.

Sample size calculation

The sample size calculation was performed by means of the between-two-groups differences for independent samples by the software of G*Power (version 3.1.9.2) and based on the ankle dorsal flexion (º) during the Weight-Bearing Lunge Test (WBLT) of a pilot study (n = 30) with 2 groups (mean ± SD), 15 patients with asthma (case group; 43.64 ± 5.42 º) and 15 healthy matched-paired participants (control group, 47.02 ± 4.70 º). In addition, 2-tailed hypothesis, effect size of 0.66, α-error probability of 0.05, power (1-β error probability) of 0.80 as well as allocation ratio (N2/N1) of 1 were applied for the sample size determination. Therefore, a total sample size of 74 participants, 37 patients with asthma and 37 healthy matched-paired controls, was calculated.

Participants

Participants were recruited by a consecutive sampling method from the Conplexo Hospitalario de Ferrol and an outpatient clinic (A Coruña, Spain). Considering the inclusion criteria, participants from 18 to 65 years old who signed the informed consent, were non- smokers and did not receive any anti-allergic immunotherapy intervention were included in the study. For the case group, patients diagnosed with asthma or allergic asthma by the same experienced allergist doctor were considered if they presented the clinical symptomatology of asthma, a positive lung function bronchodilator test with a FEV1 > 12% and 200 ml with respect to the baseline values 5,6. For the control group, healthy matched-paired participants were included. Regarding exclusion criteria, the participants with the following features were excluded: age younger than 18 years old or older than 65 years old, not sign the informed consent, active smokers, undergoing allergy immunotherapy, reduced ambulation, systemic diseases, neuropathy, musculoskeletal disorders, fractures, psychiatric illnesses and/or neoplasia (malignant tumors) 18.

Descriptive data

Quantitative descriptive data such as age (years), weight (kg), height (m), body mass index (BMI; calculated by the Quetelet index as kg/m2) 19, and physical activity assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ; measured as metabolic equivalent index per minutes per week [METS/min/week]), which was validated into Spanish with an excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.93] 20.

Categorical data such as professional activity student (student, freeland, employed, unemployed or retired), civil status (single, divorced, widowed, couple or married), sex (male or female), plantar orthosis (yes or no), and physical activity levels (divided into “low” with less than 600 METS, “moderate” from 600 to 3000 METS, and “vigorous” with more than 3000 METS according to the IPAQ) were collected 20.

Outcome measurements

Foot dorsal flexion range of motion and falls rate were considered as the primary outcomes. In addition, the secondary outcomes were kinesiophobia and spirometry parameters.

Foot dorsal flexion range of motion

Ankle and 1stMTTP joints dorsal flexion range of motion was measured by an experienced podiatrist. The Weight-Bearing Lunge Test (WBLT) was applied in order to quantify and evaluate the ankle dorsiflexion, which has shown to be a valid tool with an excellent inter-rater reliability for angle (ICC = 0.97) and distance (ICC = 0.99) measurements 21-23. Indeed, the TiltMeter (IntegraSoftHN - Carlos E. Hernández Pérez) free mobile app on an Apple iPhone was use to carry out the measurement of the degrees (º) of movement, which has shown an excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.96) and an appropriate concurrent validity (ICC = 0.83) with an inclinometer 24. In addition, a tape measure was applied to measure the distance (cm) from the most distal area of the foot to the wall. To carry out this measurement, the patient was placed on top of the measuring tape with the foot perpendicular to a wall, moving it sequentially (1 cm further from the wall each time) until reaching the maximum ankle dorsal flexion without lifting the heel from the floor. The distance from the foot to the wall was measured with a tape measure, and the angle from the tibia axis in reference to the wall was assessed with the app sensor placed on the tibia anterior tuberosity 21-25.

An analogue universal goniometer was used to quantify the WBLT forced dorsal flexion of the hallux 1stMTTP joint 26. To carry out this measurement, the patient was asked for slightly forwarding the foot, maintaining a normal walking angle. The fixed arm of the goniometer was placed on the diaphysis of the 1st metatarsal bone and the mobile arm was placed on the 1st phalanx bone at the medial side of the hallux. The measurement was performed after a hallux forced dorsiflexion. This procedure has shown an adequate validity with radiographic range of motion and an excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.87 - 0.95) for hallux 1stMTTP dorsiflexion measurement 27.

Falls rate

Fall rate was measured as the number of falls self-reported by the participants during the prior year. Falls rate has been previously measured in older adults who suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma 10.

Kinesiophobia

The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia - 11 items (TSK-11) was used to determine the fear of movement and self-reported by the participants. This tool was validated into Spanish and presented a two-factor structure (activity avoidance and harm) with a scored system by a 4 points Likert scale (from 11 to 44 points; greater scores suggested an increased fear of movement) (28). An adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.78) and high test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.82) 29-32.

Spirometry parameters

Spirometry parameters were evaluated by an experienced allergist doctor in order to evaluate the airways alterations by means of the Datospir 600 Touch device (SIBELMED e-20 software) 5. Indeed, the FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC values (%) were recorded due to these parameters may be considered as the most useful spirometry parameters in order to predict physiological measurements in patients who suffered from asthma 6. These parameters addressing the lung function have been well correlated (r = 0.747) to chest wall expansion 33. In addition, spirometry parameters have shown a good reliability (ICC = 0.786 - 0.929) 34.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analyses were carried out by means the of the software of SPSS 24.0v (IBM for Windows; Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) using an α error of 0.05 in conjunction with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

For quantitative data, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to evaluate normality. All data were described as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and range (minimum-maximum) due to median ± interquartile range did not reflect accurately the differences for some non-parametric data. For parametric data (Kolmogorov-Smirnov P-value ≥ .05), between-groups differences were analyzed by Student t tests for independent samples. For non-parametric data (Kolmogorov-Smirnov P-value < .05), between-groups differences were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U tests for independent samples. In addition, bars graphs were added to illustrate the comparisons of fall rate and WBLT foot dorsiflexion range of motion means (including 95% CI error bars) between the patients with asthma and healthy matched-paired controls.

For categorical data, frequencies as well as percentages were applied to describe these values and their between-groups differences were analyzed by Fisher exact tests and Chi-square (χ2) tests.

Results

A total sample of 80 participants was recruited and divided into patients with asthma (case group; n = 40) and matched-paired healthy participants (control group; n = 40) with an age range from 19 to 65 years old. The sample comprised 30 (37.5%) males and 50 (62.5%) females. There were not any statistically significant differences (P > .05) between both groups for all descriptive data. Table 1 and 2 showed the quantitative and categorical descriptive data of the sample, respectively.

Table 1

Quantitative descriptive data of the patients with asthma and healthy matched-paired controls.

Quantitative descriptive data	Total group (n = 80)Mean ± SD (Range)	Asthma (n = 40)Mean ± SD (Range)	Healthy (n = 40)Mean ± SD (Range)	P-Value asthma vs healthy
Age (years)	40.02 ± 12.98 (19 - 65)	38.10 ± 12.84 (20 - 65)	41.95 ± 12.99 (19 - 65)	.187*
Weight (kg)	72.05 ± 14.69 (47 - 120)	71.72 ± 16.55 (48 - 120)	72.37 ± 17.75 (47-96)	.845*
Height (m)	1.66 ± 0.09 (1.50 - 1.97)	1.67 ± 0.10 (1.53 - 1.97)	1.66 ± 0.09 (1.50 - 1.87)	.798†
BMI (kg/m2)	25.78 ± 4.32 (18.41 - 39.18)	25.38 ± 4.43 (18.41 - 39.18)	26.17 ± 4.24 (18.83 - 34.72)	.386†
IPAQ (METS/min/week)	3297.59 ± 3559.41 (0 - 15918)	2679.45 ± 3300.59 (0 - 15918)	3915.73 ± 3739.78 (0 - 15243)	.121*

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; IPAQ, International Physical Activity Questionnaire; METs, metabolic equivalent index per week. * Student´s t-test for independent samples was applied. † Mann-Whitney U test was used. In all the analyses, P < .05 (with a 95% confidence interval) was considered statistically significant.

Table 2

Categorical descriptive data of the patients with asthma and healthy matched-paired controls.

Categorical descriptive data		Total group (n = 80)	Asthma (n = 40)	Healthy (n = 40)	P Value
Professional activity	student	13 (16.2%)	7 (17.5%)	6 (15%)	.516‡
	freeland	10 (12.5%)	6 (15%)	4 (10%)
	employed	43 (53.7%)	20 (50%)	23 (57.5%)
	unemployed	7 (8.8%)	2 (5%)	5 (12.5%)
	retired	7 (8.8%)	5 (12.5%)	2 (5%)
Civil status	single	19 (23.7%)	9 (22.5%)	10 (25%)	.973‡
	divorced	4 (5%)	2 (5%)	2 (5%)
	widowed	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)
	couple	11 (13.7%)	5 (12.5%)	6 (15%)
	married	46 (57.6%)	24 (60%)	22 (55%)
IPAQ category*	low	19 (23.7%)	13 (32.5%)	6 (15%)	.175‡
	moderate	37 (46.3%)	17 (42.5%)	20 (50%)
	vigorous	24 (30%)	10 (25%)	14 (35%)
Sex	Male	30 (37.5%)	14 (35%)	16 (0%)	.818†
	Female	50 (62.5%)	26 (65%)	24 (60%)
Plantar orthosis	Yes	7 (8.7%)	4 (10%)	3 (7.5%)	1.000†
	No	73 (91.3%)	36 (90%)	37 (92.5%)

Abbreviations: METs, metabolic equivalent index per week; IPAQ, International Physical Activity Questionnaire. ‡Frequency, percentage (%) and Chi-squared test (χ2) were utilized. †Frequency, percentage (%) and Fisher exact test (χ2) were utilized. *Physical activity levels were divided into “low” with less than 600 METS, “moderate” from 600 to 3000 METS, and “vigorous” with more than 3000 METS according to the IPAQ. In all the analyses, P < .05 (with a 95% confidence interval) was considered statistically significant.

Outcome measurements between asthma vs healthy participants

The outcome measurements between patients diagnosed with asthma and healthy matched-paired controls were shown in Table 3. Regarding falls rate and kinesiophobia, statistically significant differences (P < .05) showed that patients with asthma presented a greater falls rate than healthy participants during the prior year (Figure 1), but not for kinesiophobia (P > .05). Considering the foot dorsiflexion (Figures 2 and 3), statistically significant differences (P < .05) showed that patients with asthma presented bilaterally lower ankle and 1stMTTP dorsiflexion range of motion than healthy participants, except for the left ankle dorsiflexion (P > .05). For the spirometry parameters, there were statistically significant differences (P > .05) for the FEV1/FVC parameter with lower values in the asthma group compared to the control group, but not for FEV1 and FVC separately.

Table 3

Comparisons of outcome measurements between the patients with asthma and healthy matched-paired controls

Outcome measurements	Total group (n = 80)Mean ± SD (Range)	Asthma (n = 40)Mean ± SD (Range)	Healthy (n = 40)Mean ± SD (Range)	P-Value asthma vs healthy
Falls rate (n during 1 year)	0.47 ± 1.22 (0 - 6)	0.70 ± 1.45 (0 - 6)	0.25 ± 0.89 (0 - 5)	.049†
Kinesiophobia (TSK-11)	21.70 ± 6.21 (11 - 38)	22.07 ± 6.59 (11-38)	21.32 ± 5.87 (11 - 34)	.593*
Right ankle dorsiflexion (º WBLT)	45.05 ± 5.52 (31.80 - 60.10)	43.74 ± 4.87 (35.80 - 56.80)	46.36 ± 5.87 (31.80 - 60.10)	.033*
Right ankle dorsiflexion (cm WBLT)	10.21 ± 2.83 (3 - 17)	9.50 ± 2.96 ( 3- 16)	10.92 ± 2.52 (7 - 17)	.035†
Left ankle dorsiflexion (º WBLT)	44.58 ± 6.06 (19.60 - 60.30)	43.54 ± 4.84 (33.20 - 55.40)	45.62 ± 2.98 (19.60 - 60.30)	.127*
Left ankle dorsiflexion (cm WBLT)	10.43 ± 2.75 (3 - 17)	9.75 ± 2.88 (3 - 15)	11.12 ± 2.48 (7 - 17)	.046†
Right 1ºMTTP dorsiflexion (º WBLT)	34.86 ± 16.87 (4 - 70)	30.75 ± 16.52 (4 - 70)	38.97 ± 16.41 (8 - 68)	.027†
Left 1ºMTTP dorsiflexion (º WBLT)	32.81 ± 17.89 (6 - 69)	28.62 ± 17.71 (6 - 69)	37.00 ± 17.27 (8 - 68)	.027†
FVC (%)	95.73 ± 9.95 (64 - 118)	95.82 ± 10.88 (64-113)	95.65 ± 9.06 (80-118)	.938*
FEV1 (%)	99.42 ± 10.90 (61 - 122)	98.05 ± 12.73 (61-121)	100.80 ± 8.65 (84-122)	.263*
FEV1/FVC (%)	104.13 ± 7.18 (89 - 123)	102.10 ± 7.69 (89 - 122)	106.17 ± 6.07 (94 - 123)	.010*

Abbreviations: IR, interquartile range; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in one second; FHSQ, Foot Health Status Questionnaire; FVC, forced vital capacity; MTTP, metatarsophalangeal joint; TSK-11, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia - 11 items; WBLT, Weight-Bearing Lunge Test. *Student´s t-test for independent samples was used. † Mann-Whitney U test was used. In all the analyses, P < .05 (with a 95% confidence interval) was considered statistically significant (bold).

Figure 1

Bars graph to illustrate the comparisons of fall rate means (including 95% CI error bars) between the patients with asthma and healthy matched-paired controls. Abbreviations: CI, confidence interval.

Figure 2

Bars graph to illustrate the comparisons of WBLT foot dorsiflexion range of motion (º) means (including 95% CI error bars) between the patients with asthma and healthy matched-paired controls. Abbreviations: 1ºMTTP, 1º metatarsophalangeal joint; CI, confidence interval, WBLT, Weight-Bearing Lunge Test.

Figure 3

Bars graph to illustrate the comparisons of WBLT ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (cm) means (including 95% CI error bars) between the patients with asthma and healthy matched-paired controls. Abbreviations: CI, confidence interval, WBLT, Weight-Bearing Lunge Test.

Discussion

To the authors´ knowledge, this is the first study that shows new evidence about the falls rate increase and foot dorsal flexion limitations in patients with asthma compared to healthy matched-paired participants. These associations may be a key focus in order to develop new intervention strategies for falls prevention in patients with asthma, due to a high falls prevalence, similar to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was shown in patients who suffer from asthma 10.

Primary outcomes

Our findings suggesting a falls rate increase and reduced foot dorsiflexion may be partially explained due to the respiratory muscles may be related to postural control stability, which may be frequently altered in patients with asthma, and the diaphragm contractility was previously associated to chronic ankle instability 8,14,35. Spirometry alterations associated to asthma may influence a high risk of falls in older adults 5,6,10 and this risk may be increased by the reduced foot dorsal flexion range of motion in accordance with our results in the general population 11-13. Some common activities in daily life, such as descending stairs, walking or kneeling, need at least 10º of ankle dorsal flexion, while some activities such as running need from 20 ºto 30º of dorsiflexion range of motion 25. According to Table 3 and Figure 2, our results showed that ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in patients with asthma (varied from 43.54 ± 4.84º to 43.74 ± 4.87º) and healthy controls (varied from 45.62 ± 2.98º to 46.36 ± 5.87º) was higher than these cut off values and would not influence the daily life activities. Dorsiflexion of the 1stMTTP joint (from 45º to 65º) during the gait cycle propulsive phase may be important for an efficient foot function 26. According to Table 3 and Figure 3, our findings showed more than 10º of the hallux 1stMTTP joint dorsiflexion limitation in patients with asthma (from 28.62 ± 17.71º to 30.75 ± 16.52º) with respect to healthy participants (from 37.00 ± 17.27º to 38.97 ± 16.41º) and this difference could impair the foot function during the gait cycle. Nevertheless, future studies evaluating the gait cycle between patients diagnosed with asthma and healthy participants should be performed.

Regarding our initial hypothesis, patients with asthma seem to present a reduced foot dorsal flexion range of motion and a greater falls rate with respect to healthy subjects. These associations could be due to patients with asthma present respiratory alterations 5,6, including a reduced diaphragm contractility which have been linked to chronic ankle instability 14 and consequently high risk of falls 10. Indeed, a recent study has shown the presence of higher mechanosensitivity in the tarsal tunnel of patients with asthma with respect to healthy controls 36. According to this study, the sensitization of the soft tissues of the tarsal tunnel, including the plantar flexor tendons, blood vessels and tibial nerve, could decrease foot dorsiflexion range of motion and stability.

Secondary outcomes

Kinesiophobia did not seem to be related with asthma diagnosis due to possibly fear of movement appears frequently in patients with pain or injuries 28-32 and these conditions were excluded from our study. Regarding the lung function, spirometry parameters showed a reduced FEV1/FVC coefficient in patients with asthma with respect to healthy participants in accordance with the physiological changes and airways impairments reported in prior studies of patients with asthma 5,6.

Future studies and clinical implications

Future randomized controlled clinical trials applying therapeutic interventions for increasing ankle dorsiflexion, such as joint mobilization, stretching techniques, local vibration therapy, hyperbaric oxygen intervention and electrical stimulation physical therapies as well as mental-relaxation psychological interventions should be carried out 37. In addition, postural motor control exercises should be evaluated in patients with asthma due to the existent relationship between respiratory muscle contractility and ankle instability as possible influencers of falls 14.

Limitations

Some limitation should be considered in the present study. First, a consecutive sampling method was used in order to recruit participants and should be considered in future studies. Second, the age range from our sample only comprised participants from 19 to 65 years old, but older adults age range should be included in future studies due to a high risk of falls rate has been concretely shown in older adults with asthma 10. Third, chest expansion measurements were not included in the present study, but lung function parameters were evaluated and present a good correlation with chest wall expansion 33. Finally, future studies should introduce a scale specifically investigating falls or balance assessment scale like the Berg Balance Scale 38.

Conclusions

These study findings showed that a falls rate increase and bilateral foot dorsal flexion limitations of the ankle and 1stMTTP joints are exhibited in patients who suffer from asthma.