Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Diabetic foot problems are generally poorly understood by patients, yet they represent a major health problem. The aim of this study was to assess diabetes patients’ knowledge of preventive foot care before and after a diabetic foot day.

Patients and methods: It was a prospective and descriptive study conducted in the service from January to December 2018, including 108 type 2 or type 1 diabetic patients, at risk of podiatry grade 1, 2 or 3 and who participated in the diabetic foot education day. The statistical analysis was performed by the epi. Info 6.0. software

Results: We collected 108 patients whose average age was 48 years and the sex ratio was 0,75. 70% of patients were of low socio-economic status, 64% were of low intellectual level. Type 2 diabetes was predominant in 60% of cases, with an average duration, 39% of cases had a very high risk of podiatric (grade 3), 42% of patients have already benefited from a diabetic foot education. A lot of hygiene errors were noted in our patients: absence of daily examination of the feet, (46%), no-washing of the feet and the no adequate drying (58%), no verification of the temperature water before a feet bath (52%), walking barefoot (34%), non-daily application of moisturizing creams (66%), purchase of shoes at the end of the day (62%), wearing socks with aggressive seams (56%), wearing tight shoes (28%), inspecting shoes before putting on shoes (54%), using cutting metal objects for nails (62%), application of tinted product (Henna, eosin) (68%), use of radiator or hot water to heat the feet (26%) and putting dressing directly on the skin (34%). The evaluation at the end of the day showed that only 8% of the answers were incorrect compared to 18% at the first consultation (after 1 to 2 months).

Conclusion: The therapeutic education of people with diabetes about the need for foot care appears to improve their knowledge.