Abstract
Two hundred and nine diabetic patients, randomly selected from the diabetic clinic, were questioned about foot problems and care of the feet. The feet were then examined for ulcers, amputations, pulses, presence or absence of ankle jerks and vibration perception threshold measured.
The prevalence of neuropathy was 22% (45/207). To direct questioning, 30% of the patients admitted to having problems with their feet and had significantly higher vibration perception threshold (p<0.005 for the great toes) than those with no problems. Although 81% of patients realised that diabetic subjects may have problems with their feet, only 54% took any precautions; those who did not had significantly higher vibration perception thresholds than those who did.
In patients with evidence of peripheral neuropathy, about half (51%) were asymptomatic and over half (56%) took no precautions in terms of looking after their feet. This latter group, who are most in need of education about care of the feet, would have to be identified by a comprehensive screening programme if prophylactic foot care is to be effective in preventing disability.