Health care utilisation by older people with non-traumatic foot complaints. What makes the difference?

To determine the factors associated with the type of health care chosen by elderly people suffering from non-traumatic foot complaints.

Cross-sectional mailed survey.

Population-based random sample of 7200 people aged > or = 65 years in The Netherlands.

1130 people > or = 65 years with non-traumatic foot complaints for 4 weeks or more.

Use of non-(para)medical care (i.e. no care at all, self-care and chiropodial care) versus (para)medical care (i.e. care given by paramedical personnel, general practitioners and medical specialists).

Six of every 10 respondents sought (para)medical care, half of these visited the GP. Factors associated with the use of (para)medical care were foot-related limitations (adj OR 3.18; 95% CI 2.26-4.46), painful feet (adj OR 1.55; 1.09-2.23), and foot osteoarthritis (adj OR 1.88; 1.32-2.68). (Para)medical care was sought less often than non-(para)medical care for forefoot complaints (adj OR 0.56; 0.41-0.76).

Elderly people with non-traumatic foot complaints did not seem to underreport their problems to (para)medical care providers. Furthermore, they appeared to select the appropriate type of care. Future studies will have to assess the effectiveness of the care provided.