Is There Enough Information About Foot Care Among Patients With Diabetes?

Abstract

The United Kingdom has a diabetic population of approximately 1.2 million. It is estimated that approximately 15% of all patients with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer in their lifetime. Twenty-five percent of all patients with foot ulcers will have a major amputation. There have been several publications demonstrating a reduction in foot ulcer and amputation rate through a range of active educational programs and ways of improving patient awareness of the problem. The authors' study attempted to establish the amount of information patients with diabetes have about care of their feet. Of 110 patients recruited, 37 (33%) claimed they had never received any information about foot care. Of those who had received advice, approximately half had received information or had access to information over the previous 10 years. In the majority of cases, information had been given once only. In conclusion, 33% of patients with diabetes did not recall receiving any information about foot care.