The prevalence and determinants of foot ulceration in type II diabetic patients in a primary health care setting

The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of foot (pre-)ulcers and their determinants in type II diabetic patients in a primary health care setting. Six hundred and nine patients (246 men, mean age 64.8 (range, 40-94) years, diabetes duration, 4.3 (0-44.9) years) from 22 general practices attended a regional shared care project in Amsterdam. At first visit all patients were examined by a podiatrist. Amputations, active foot ulcers (Wagner stage 1 or 2) and pre-ulcers (Wagner stage 0, hard skin with or without macerating changes) were recorded in 0 (0%), 11 (1.8%) and 79 (12.9%) patients, respectively. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, after adjustment for age and gender, diabetes duration, cigarette smoking, peripheral vascular disease (assessed by calculating ankle/brachial index) sensory neuropathy (by Semmes-Weinstein monofilament 5.07), dry feet and severe hammer toes were independently and significantly associated (pre-)ulceration, In conclusion, one of every seven type II diabetic patients in primary health care has a foot (pre-)ulcer. Patients at risk for foot ulceration can be identified by inspection and the use of simple instruments. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.