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How many runners with new‐onset Achilles tendinopathy develop persisting symptoms? A large prospective cohort study
Author(s) -
Lagas Iris F.,
Fokkema Tryntsje,
BiermaZeinstra Sita M. A.,
Verhaar Jan A. N.,
Middelkoop Marienke,
Vos RobertJan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.13760
Subject(s) - medicine , tendinopathy , prospective cohort study , odds ratio , cohort , physical therapy , logistic regression , confidence interval , cohort study , pediatrics , surgery , tendon
Background Achilles tendinopathy (AT) occurs in half of the elite runners. AT is a difficult‐to‐treat tendon disease, which may progress from new onset to a chronic state. It is unknown how many runners with new‐onset AT develop persisting symptoms and which prognostic factors are associated with this course. Objective To describe how many runners develop persisting symptoms 1 year after onset of reactive AT. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Methods Runners registering for a Dutch running event (5‐42.2 km) were eligible for inclusion. Runners reporting new‐onset AT between registration for the running event and 1 month after received a 1‐year follow‐up questionnaire. The 1‐year follow‐up questionnaire inquired about persisting symptoms (yes/no), running activity, and metabolic disorders. We calculated the percentage of runners with persisting symptoms and performed a multivariable logistic regression analysis to study the association between potential prognostic factors and persisting symptoms. Results Of 1929 participants, 100 runners (5%) reported new‐onset AT. A total of 62 runners (62%) filled in the 1‐year follow‐up questionnaire. Persisting symptoms were reported by 20 runners (32%). A higher running distance per week before new‐onset AT was associated with a lower risk of developing persisting symptoms (odds ratio (OR): 0.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): [0.9;1.0]). There was a positive trend toward an association between metabolic disorders and persisting symptoms (OR: 5.7, 95% CI: [0.9;36.2]). Conclusion One third of runners develop persisting symptoms 1 year after new‐onset AT. Interestingly, a higher running distance per week before new‐onset AT potentially lowers the risk of developing persisting symptoms.