Quality assessment list; criteria for quality score (positive, negative or unclear)
| Item | Description and criteria |
|---|---|
| Study population | |
| 1 | Study groups (patients and controls) are clearly defined: Positive if at least four of the following items in both groups were reported at baseline: age, gender, BMI, physical activity, previous treatments and duration of symptoms |
| 2 | Comparable groups: Positive if the study controls are comparable to the patients for age and gender |
| 3 | Number of cases ≥50: Positive if the total number of cases (patients) was ≥50 |
| Study design | |
| 4 | Inclusion and exclusion criteria: Positive if inclusion and exclusion criteria were described
|
| Assessment of determinant and outcome | |
| 5 | Definition of determinant: Positive if a clear definition of potential determinant (variable that might be associated with plantar fasciopathy) was described |
| 6 | Assessment of determinant: Positive if the type and methods of measurement and the setting were described and suitable |
| Analysis and data presentation | |
| 7 | Data presentation: Positive if risk estimates were presented or when raw data were given that allow for the calculation of risk estimates, such as ORs, prevalence ratios or relative risks |
| 8 | Consideration of confounders: Positive if at least three of the following confounders were considered and described: activity levels and/or standing time, systemic disease, foot alignment, BMI, age and gender |
| 9 | Control for confounding: Positive if, for a minimum of three confounders mentioned in item 8, the method used to control for confounding was described |
BMI, body mass index.