Global burden of foot problems among diabetics is revealed

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A study shows that a foot is amputated every 30 seconds because of diabetic complications.
Poor circulation leads to foot problems as a complication of diabetes. Diabetic foot ulcers often lead to amputation and a new survey from a team at Manchester Royal Infirmary UK and colleagues elsewhere reveals the extent of the problem.

The lifetime risk of a person with diabetes developing a foot ulcer is as high as 25 per cent, according to this review. The cost of this problem, with associated amputations is nearly 11 billion US dollars to healthcare payers. In the UK, it costs 252 million pounds.

Yet foot ulcers and amputation are preventable. Good foot care services are vital and can reduce amputation. The diabetic foot at risk can readily be identified by some simple clinical tests involving a tuning fork, a pin and a tendon hammer. It is time that such measures were put into practise.

Source
The Lancet 12th November 2005

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