title: American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society shoe survey of diabetic patients.
abstract: A one-page written survey was completed by 402 randomly selected patients with diabetes in five cities during a scheduled visit to their endocrinologist. Patients averaged 61.5 years of age and had been diagnosed with diabetes for 27.3 years. This study suggests that approximately 25% of adults with diabetes are at risk for developing foot ulcers, the precursor to deep infection leading to lower limb amputation. The goal at the inception of this project was to obtain benchmark data on the current level of prophylactic foot care being provided to adult patients with diabetes. The results of this survey suggest that most individuals with diabetes and their physicians are aware of potential diabetic foot morbidity, yet very few take advantage of prophylactic protective footware. Even fewer are presently taking advantage of benefits established through the Medicare Therapeutic Foot Bill. This survey highlights a substantial opportunity for improvement in the long-term care of individuals with diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Loyola University Medical School, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pinzur
authors.forename: N N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Shields
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Goelitz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Slovenkai
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices / Q000191:economics; D011897:Random Allocation; D012775:Shoes / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States