Diabetic foot: clinical presentation and relationship with primary care assistance

Abstract

This is an epidemiological cross-sectional study conducted in a public hospital in Recife, with the following objectives: to assess lesions on the feet of patients with diabetes mellitus by clinical methods and verify the existence of an association between the risk of amputation and the use of primary health care. The sample consisted of 61 patients with diabetic foot ulcers. It was found out that 41% (25/61) were classified as grade 4 and 80.3% were characterized as high risk for amputation (49/61). The lack of sensitivity to monofilament (44/51) and tuning (43/50) and absence of distal pulse palpation (44/51 and 41/47) were associated with risk of amputation. Not performing foot examination was showed as a risk for amputation of 1.9 times. The study showed the importance of evaluation and classification of diabetic foot for the organization of an appropriate level of screening and prevention.