Degree of risk for foot ulcer due to diabetes: nursing assessment

Exploratory, descriptive study, in which patients were assessed in a municipal ambulatory of São Paulo through nursing consultation, following the guidelines of the International Consensus on the Diabetic Foot. Data were descriptively analyzed.

Results:

The analyzed population was composed of 50 longevous and retired people, with household income of up to two minimum wages, with dermato-neurofunctional risk factors and unfavorable clinical indicators, and 66% had Risk 1; 16% Risk 2; 6% Risk 3 and 12% Risk 4. Of this analyzed total, 96% never had their feet examined with the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament.

Conclusion:

The data found indicate the importance of careful feet examination in people with diabetes by the nursing staff to identify future risks of ulcers and, thus, prevent them.

Descriptors:
Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Neuropathies; Diabetic Foot; Mass Screening; Nursing

Degree	Risk	Return frequency
1	Absent LOPS	Once a year
2	Present LOPS	Once every 6 months
3	LOPS, signs of peripherical vascular disease and/or foot deformity	Once every 3 months
4	Previous ulcer	Once every 1-3 months

	n	%
Gender
Male	18	36
Female	32	64
Age
30-39	2	4
40-49	6	12
50-59	17	34
60-69	20	40
70-79	4	8
80-90	1	2
Marital status
Living with a partner	26	52
Living without a partner	24	48
Professional status
Retired	17	34
Employed	11	22
Unemployed	17	34
Pensioner	5	10
Household income
Up to 1 minimum wage	24	48
Up to 2 minimum wages	12	24
2 minimum wages or more	14	28
Education level
Illiterate	12	24
Up to 8 years of study	30	60
High school	6	12
Higher education	2	4
Color/Race
Black	6	12
Brown	22	44
Indigenous	1	2
Yellow (Asian)	1	2
White	20	40

	n	%
Control of DM with glycated hemoglobin monitoring
Yes	17	34
No	2	4
Unaware of the examination	31	62
Systemic arterial hypertension
Yes	46	92
No	4	8
Dyslipidemias
Yes	32	64
No	18	36
Regularly performs physical activity
Yes	13	26
No	37	74
Received guidelines for self-care of the feet after the diagnosis of diabetes
Yes	13	26
No	37	74
Type of footwear
Common	50	100
Special	00	00
Dry skin
Yes	42	84
No	8	16
Active ulcer
Yes	6	12
No	44	88
Inspects their feet regularly
Yes	16	32
No	24	48
Sometimes	10	20
Callus and callosities
Yes	39	78
No	11	22
Motor deformities (hallux valgus, overlapped toes, claw/hammer toes, plantar arch accentuated or diminished, Charcot foot)
Yes	11	22
No	39	78

Risk classification	n	%
Risk 1	33	66
Risk 2	8	16
Risk 3	3	6
Risk 4	6	12
Total	50	100

Associação Brasileira de Enfermagem SGA Norte Quadra 603 Conj. "B" - Av. L2 Norte 70830-102 Brasília, DF, Brasil, Tel.: (55 61) 3226-0653, Fax: (55 61) 3225-4473 - Brasília - DF - Brazil
E-mail: reben@abennacional.org.br

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[1] CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Maria do Livramento Saraiva Lucoveis. E-mail: marialucoveis@hotmail.com