Based on United Kingdom population surveys, diabetic foot problems are a common complication of diabetes with prevalences of;
- 23-42% for neuropathy
- 9-23% for vascular disease
- 5-7% for foot ulceration
Boulton AJ, Vileikyte L, Ragnarson-Tennvall G, Apelqvist J. The global burden of diabetic foot disease. Lancet. 2005 Nov 12;366(9498):1719-24.
Amputation rates are higher in patients with diabetes than patients without diabetes.
Patients with diabetes are at increased risk of developing Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), especially when other associated risk factors are present, for example smoking, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia. Diabetic foot ulceration is principally associated with PAD and peripheral neuropathy, often in combination. Other factors associated with increased risk include;
- Previous amputation
- Previous ulceration
- The presence of significant callus
- The presence of significant structural abnormality
- Visual/Mobility problems
