Detection of Risk for Foot Ulceration and its Relation to Foot Self-care among Diabetic Elderly Patients

Abstract

: Most amputations are caused by foot ulcers among diabetic older adults, so it is essential to identify people who are at risk as early as possible. Aim : To detect the risk of foot ulceration and its relation to foot self-care among diabetic elders. Design : A descriptive research design was conducted on 300 elderly patients with a type II of diabetes from the outpatient clinic and medical department of Minia University Hospital, Egypt. Tools: Demographic characteristics, medical data, and two research instruments were used: (1-Standardized INLOW’S 60s diabetic foot screening tool. 2) Nottingham Assessment of Functional Foot Care Scale (NAFFC). Results: The mean age was (71.36±6.835) and 60% were male. Foot examination using Inlow’s 60s screening scale reflected that 62.6% and 22% of the participants were at moderate and high risk for foot ulcers respectively. Additionally, 60.7% of them had a low adherence level to foot self-care practices, with a negative correlation between patients' risk of foot ulceration and their adherence to foot care (p <.000). Conclusion: Around half of the studied sample was detected at risk for foot ulceration between moderate and high levels and more than half of them had a low adherence level to foot self-care practices with a negative correlation found between them. Recommendations : Health care providers should emphasize regular foot screening along with proper education for diabetic elderly patients to detect the risky cases of DFUs at an early stage and consequently prevent foot complications.