Relationship Between Fear of Falling, Foot Care Behaviors, and Comfort Levels in Patients With Diabetic Foot.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between fear of falling, foot care behaviors, and comfort levels in patients with diabetic foot. This descriptive and cross sectional study included 285 patients diagnosed with diabetic foot who attended the wound care clinic of a hospital. Data were collected using a patient assessment form, the Tinetti Falls Efficacy Scale, the Foot Care Behavior Scale, and the General Comfort Scale-Short Form (GCS-SF). The mean total score of the participants on the Tinetti Falling Efficacy Scale was 59.20 ± 17.16. A weak positive correlation was found between the total score of the Tinetti Falling Efficacy Scale and the total score of the Foot Care Behavior Scale (r = 0.278, p < .01). A weak positive correlation was found between the total score of the Tinetti Falling Efficacy Scale and the GCS-SF (r = 0.231, p < .01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that Wagner classification was a significant predictor of Tinetti Falling Efficacy Scale scores (B = -7.910, β = -0.599, p < .001), whereas foot care behaviors and GCS-SF scores were not significant predictors. Fear of falling was correlated with foot care behaviors and comfort levels.