Influence of depression in a sample of people with hallux valgus

Hallux valgus (HV) is a highly-prevalent forefoot deformity associated with progressive subluxation and osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint; it is believed to be associated with depression. The aim of the present study was to determine the association of patients with varying degrees of HV involvement to depression using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The sample consisted of 102 participants (mean age: 45.1±1.6), who attended an outpatient centre where self-report data were recorded. The degree of HV deformity was determined in both feet, and the scores on the BDI were compared. A total of 38.24% of the sample had depression, with an average BDI score of 10.55±12.36 points. There was a statistically-significant association between the degree and presence of HV in both feet (P=0.0001). People with a greater degree of HV deformity in any foot also have a significant increase in depression based on BDI scores, regardless of sex.