Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The aetiology of a diabetic foot ulcer is multifactorial. The three principal components that ascertain the likelihood of ulceration in a diabetic foot are peripheral neuropathy, repeated minor trauma and deformity. Aims:To find the prevalence of diabetes patients having the foot at risk using the Simplified 60-Second Diabetic Foot Screen tool (SSDFST).

Objectives: To find out the diabetic foot at risk.1. To ascertain the dispersal of various categories of the foot at risk in patients with diabetes and the factors that modify it2. To find out the association of neuropathy to the various diabetes risk factors.Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study comprising of 128 patients; a detailed history and examination including neurological and vascular assessment were performed attending a Tertiary Care Hospital. Patients were screened for the risk of diabetic foot using the SSDFST. The detection of loss of protective sensation (LOPS) using a simple 10-g monofilament test (10 g M) was highly predictive of subsequent ulceration had been reported by the Seattle Diabetic Foot Study. Foot at risk was correlated with demographic and clinical features. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, significant at P = 0.05.

Results: Out of 128 patients;92(72%), 36(28%) were male and female respectively. The mean duration of diabetes was 7.42 ± 6.233 years (range 1-27). The mean age, BMI, of the study population was 53.125±10.997 years; 25.93±4.464 kg/m² respectively. sOut of 128 patients, 82(64%) were normal without any risk factor for diabetic foot, and 46 (36%) patients had at least one risk factor for the diabetic foot using SSDFST. About 36% of patients were combinedly qualified for the foot at risk into (category 1, 2 and 3); among which 06 (5%) were placed under (category 1). 18 (14%) patients were classified into risk category 2 with LOPS +PAD and 22 (17%) into category 3 with a history of ulcer and /or amputation. The duration of diabetes, previous foot ulcer, deformity, absent pedal pulses, active ulcers, neuropathy, all these factors (P = 0.05) were significantly associated with neuropathy measured by 10 g M. Conclusions Our study revealed that one-third of our patients had at least one risk factor for the diabetic foot by using an SSDFST. About one-fifth of our patients had neuropathy detected by monofilaments. One-tenth of the study population were aware of proper foot care practice.

Keywords: Diabetic foot, Simplified 60-Second Diabetic Foot Screen tool (SSDFST, 10 gm monofilaments.