Incidence of midportion Achilles tendinopathy in the general population

• Published in: British journal of sports medicine Vol. 45; no. 13; pp. 1026 - 1028
• Main Authors: de Jonge, S, van den Berg, C, de Vos, R J, van der Heide, H J L, Weir, A, Verhaar, J A N, Bierma-Zeinstra, S M A, Tol, J L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine 01.10.2011; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Publishing Group
• Subjects: Achilles Tendon; Adult; Age Distribution; Age groups; Athletes; Codes; Complaints; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes; Family physicians; Female; Females; Health risk assessment; Humans; Incidence; Male; Marathons; Medical records; Middle Aged; Netherlands - epidemiology; Repetitive motion disorders; Researchers; Sex Distribution; Sports injuries; Sports medicine; Tendinopathy - epidemiology; Tendons; Young Adult; Netherlands
• ISSN: 0306-3674; 1473-0480
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2011-090342

Background Achilles tendon disorders, like Achilles tendinopathy, are very common among athletes. In the general population, however, knowledge about the incidence of Achilles tendinopathy is lacking. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods In a cohort of 57.725 persons registered in primary care, the number of patients visiting the general practitioner (GP) with diagnosis of mid-portion Achilles tendon problems was counted using computerised registration networks of GPs in 2009. Subsequently, the authors assessed associations of these rates with demographic characteristics. Results The incidence rate of Achilles tendinopathy is 1.85 per 1,000 Dutch GP registered patients. In the adult population (21–60 years), the incidence rate is 2.35 per 1,000. In 35% of the cases, a relationship with sports activity was recorded. Conclusion This is the first report on incidence rates of mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy in general practice. With an incidence of 1.85 per 1,000 registered persons, Achilles tendinopathy is frequently seen by GPs. The actual incidence might even be higher due to study limitations. More research on the frequency of this injury is required.