Risk of foot complications in long-term diabetic patients with and without ESRD: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this preliminary study was to generate hypotheses for future research about the relationship between ESRD and foot complications in patients with long-term diabetes.


METHODS
A cross-sectional prevalence study was conducted comparing a sample of long-term diabetic patients with ESRD to a sample of long-term diabetic patients without ESRD.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 132 patients with long-term diabetes (> 15 years), with (N = 60) and without (N = 72) ESRD, was selected from ambulatory care settings and dialysis units.


METHODS
Data were collected by chart audit, structured interview, and physical examination.


RESULTS
Foot complications were greater in individuals with diabetes and ESRD (25%) than in diabetic individuals without ESRD (10%) (p = 0.02). Neither neuropathy, past or current smoking, race, gender, nor age were significantly associated with current foot complications (either current infection, ulcer, gangrene, or amputation).


CONCLUSIONS
Research is needed to better understand foot complications in persons with long-term diabetes and ESRD so that the effectiveness of nursing and medical interventions to stabilize or prevent foot complications can be evaluated.
Hill
M N
MN
Feldman
H I
HI
Hilton
S C
SC
Holechek
M J
MJ
Ylitalo
M
M
Benedict
G W
GW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies