Title: Diabetes Foot Care – Knowledge and Practice in an Urban area
Authors: Karuppaswamy Pooja, Subbalakshmi, Muthukumaran J
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v11i6.09
Abstract
Introduction
The burden of diabetes is high and increasing globally, and in developing economies like India, mainly fueled by the increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity and unhealthy lifestyles. The estimates in 2019 showed that 77 million individuals had diabetes in India, which is expected to rise to over 134 million by 2045. Approximately 57% of these individuals remain undiagnosed. Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for majority of the cases, can lead to multiorgan complications, broadly divided into microvascular and macrovascular complications1.
Diabetic foot ulcers are a common but serious complication of diabetes mellitus. The factors distressing the worth of diabetic foot care are knowledge and practice. Foot ulcers are the main cause of amputation and death in people suffering from diabetes mellitus and it brings physical , psychological and economical burden to patients2.
Diabetes related foot ulcers is a major contributor to disability. Up to 25% of people with diabetes develop a foot ulcer in their lifetime, which accounts for 85% of all lower limb amputations3.
Diabetes self-management forms a significant part of diabetes management, and there is evidence that adults with diabetes who perform self-management activities experience better health outcomes and improved quality of life4.
The main concepts of Diabetes Self Management behaviours that predict good health outcomes include: adherence to a dietary regime, physical activity, blood glucose monitoring, medication adherence, healthy coping skills and risk reduction behaviours such as foot care practices5.
This study is to assess the knowledge and practice of Diabetic foot care and its associated factors among diabetic patients of an urban area in South Chennai.
Our study was done in a diabetic center who has expertise in diabetic related subspecialties.
Keywords: Diabetes, Diabetes Foot Care, Amputation, Health care workers training
