Prevention of Diabetic Foot Ulcers at Primary Care Level.
Diabetic foot ulcer is the most common and neglected complications of diabetes.
The risk of death for those with foot ulcers is 12.1 per 100 person-years of follow-up compared
with 5.1 in those without foot ulcers.
Similarly, the risk for amputation in patients with diabetes is 15 times greater than for
the nondiabetic population and the majority of amputations are preceded by DFU.
It is documented that subjects with foot ulcers have a poor quality of life and nearly 15%
of all diabetics will develop foot ulcers. It is also estimated that 15% of all diabetics who get
admitted to hospital do so mainly due to foot problems.
However diabetic foot ulcer is preventable by appropriate education, evidence-based
counseling and preventative strategy.
Neuropathy is the main cause that gives rise to diabetic foot ulcer especially the insensate foot.
Patients might not be aware of it in the early stages, as they might not feel the pain.
Furthermore, neuropathic wound does not heal fast as it is not protected by pain sensation.
Optimal glycaemic control can reduce the incidence of neuropathy and thereby foot ulcer.
Foot deformities, on the other hand, can also cause foot ulcers because of the abnormal pressure.
Regular follow-up and surveillance for diabetic retinopathy for adults with diabetes is required
and early laser treatment for those identified with retinopathy is vital.
Dermatol Open J. 2018; 3(1): 4-9. doi: 10.17140/DRMTOJ-3-129