Frequency of patients with diabetes taking proper foot care according to international guidelines and its impact on their foot health

Objective: To determine the frequency of people with diabetes, practicing proper foot care according to International Guidelines and its impact on their foot health. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 100 people with diabetes in General Medicine Out Patients Department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad from January to May 2007. Patients were enquired about their foot care practices. Patients following more than 70% of American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines for foot care were labeled as practicing Proper foot care. Foot examination of included patients was also performed and foot care practices were compared with examination findings. Results: Mean age of included patients was 51.57+10.72 years. Only six (6%) patients were found to be practicing proper foot care. There were statistically significant correlations between proper foot hygiene and frequent foot washing, fungal foot infections and foot drying practices, and ingrowing toe nails and improper nail trimming. Corns and callosities and ingrowing toe nails were associated with inappropriate foot wear. It was also found that proper foot care practice was related with foot care education. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that very few patients with diabetes were practicing proper foot care according to the ADA Guidelines. High risk behaviours were common which could lead to preventable foot complications.