Screening of Foot at Risk in Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Introduction: The term “diabetic foot” refers to all conditions that affect the foot and are directly related to the impact of diabetes. Objective: Screen the foot at risk in diabetic patients at the hospital of Mali. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study from January 1st, 2016 to June 30, 2016, at the Department of Internal Medicine and endocrinology of the Hospital of Mali. It was focused on all hospitalized diabetic patients. Results: Thirty-two (32) patients had a foot at risk among 76 diabetic patients during the study period representing 42.10%. The sex ratio was 0.52. Type 2 diabetes accounted for 82%. A glycemic imbalance (HBA1C > 7%) was observed in 88.15%. Eighteen percent (18%) of patients had a history of ulceration or amputation; 33% were walking barefoot; 78.9% had tingles in the foot; 31.6% had intermittent claudication; 64.5% had foot cleanliness; 8% claw toes; 42% had abolition or reduction of superficial tenderness to monofilament and 21% had mixed foot (neuropathy + arteriopathy). In our study, 58.9% of patients had no risk of podiatry. Conclusion: Screening of foot at risk is essential in the management of diabetes because it determines the podiatric risk enabling to minimize future functional disabilities.