[Prevalence of diabetic foot and associated factors in the family health units of the city of Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil, in 2005].
One of the most important chronic complications of diabetes mellitus is diabetic foot. Severe progression of diabetes can lead to lower limb amputations. However, since evolution of the disease is slow, it is possible to implement prevention and control measures. The scope of the Family Health Program (in terms of the possibility of early diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and diabetic foot) favors epidemiological studies to determine the problem's magnitude. This article aimed to identify the proportion of individuals with diabetic foot treated at family health units in the city of Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil. An epidemiological survey was conducted with a probabilistic sample of medical charts of diabetic patients (N = 1,374) enrolled in six health districts in the city, analyzing relations between socioeconomic variables, health conditions, and the occurrence of amputation. Diabetic foot was observed in 9% of the sample. There was a positive and statistically significant association with the variables alcoholism and amputation (p < 0.001). The prevalence of lower limb amputations was 25.6% among individuals with complications and 2.3% of the total sample.
Vieira-Santos
Isabel Cristina Ramos
IC
Faculdade de Enfermagem Nossa Senhora das Graças, Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife, Brasil. tutornad@yahoo.com.br
Souza
Wayner Vieira de
WV
Carvalho
Eduardo Freese de
EF
Medeiros
Maria Carolina Wanderley Costa de
MC
Nóbrega
Milka Gabrielle de Lira
MG
Lima
Patrícia Michelly Santos
PM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors