Diabetic foot prevention among the patients with diabetes living in Wroclaw based on their education assessment

Abstract

Introduction. Diabetic foot ulceration prevention,
among others, consist in patients’ education about
proper foot hygiene. The aim of the study was to
evaluate the level of education among patients with
diabetes mellitus living in Wroclaw.

Materials and methods. 291 medical records (157 from
women and 134 from men) from Diabetes Foot
Center in Wroclaw, were analyzed for: HbA1c value,
level of the education about diabetic foot prevention
with respect to gender, age, diabetes duration and
diabetes types.

Results. Mean patients’ age was 63.3 (21–84). 77 patients
(27.55%) known their own HbA1c value and
among this group the mean HbA1c value was 7.38%.
13% participants (32% with type 1 and 11% with
type 2) presented proper level of the education about
diabetic foot prevention. Neither gender nor diabetes
duration influenced on patients’ HbA1c or proper
hygiene knowledge. Younger patients more likely
known the HbA1c value but not proper hygiene
principles.

Conclusions. 1. Only 13.1% participants presented
adequate knowledge about diabetic foot risk factors
and self-protection principles. 2. Patients with type 1
diabetes more frequent know the HbA1c value and
diabetic foot self-protection principles than patients
with type 2. 3. Neither patients’ gender nor diabetes
duration influenced on HbA1c or foot-prophylaxis
knowledge. 4. Younger patients more likely known
the HbA1c value but not self-protection principles.
5. Patients’ education about proper foot hygiene
results in adequate knowledge. 6. The knowledge
about proper foot hygiene does not protect patients
from calluses and foot deformities.