Risk assessment for diabetic foot in elderly with diabetes mellitus

This is a quantitative epidemiological study carried out with secondary data that aimed to evaluate the self-care practices and the degree of risk for diabetic foot in the elderly with DM accompanied in a Diabetic Foot Ambulatory of a municipality in the interior of Minas Gerais General. The data sheet for elderly people with DM was used, considering the period from August 2015 to August 2016. It was considered 46 people in care in the period, of which, 54.3% were men; 52.2% living with partner; With averages of: age 68.2 years (SD = 6.3) and DM diagnosis time of 16.76 years (SD = 8.04). In the use of biguanides (69.6%), with diseases of the circulatory system (89.1%), with prominence for arterial hypertension. The most important neuropathic symptoms were: burning, numbness and tingling (84.6%), and the common deformities were: callosities (37%), dryness (34.8% %) And thick nails (32.6%). The study shows the need to improve the monitoring of the elderly with DM, as well as the expansion of health education actions that may be significant towards better self-care of the feet, in order to avoid complications and maintain quality of life.