title: Prevalence of diabetic foot disorders and related risk factors among Egyptian subjects with diabetes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple pathologies including diabetic neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and infection contribute to lower extremities amputation in diabetes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We examined the prevalence of diabetic foot problems and related risk factors in Egypt.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between July 2008 and December 2009, 1000 male and 1000 female consecutive adult patients with diabetes (≥ 18-year-old) attending the Alexandria University Diabetic Foot Screening Clinic were surveyed for history/presence of foot ulcers and/or amputations, skin/nail changes, joint mobility, sensory neuropathy (10 g-Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) using Ankle Brachial Index (ABI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of patients had type 2 diabetes (96.75%) with a mean age of 57.30 ± 10.47 years and a mean disease duration of 11.76 ± 8.26 years. The mean body mass index was 32.84 ± 6.31 kg/m(2) with 29.55% being current or ex-smokers. In these subjects, 4.4% had a past history of non-traumatic amputation (male:female: 6.2% vs. 2.6%, p < 0.001); 6.1% had past history (10.3% vs. 7%, p = 0.009) and 8.7% had active foot ulceration (8.1% vs. 4.1% p < 0.001) with a male preponderance. The prevalence of sensory neuropathy was 29.3% (M:F: 30.7%: 27.9%) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) was 11% (M:F 11.8%:10.2%). Diabetic foot complications were associated with disease duration (p < 0.001), history of coronary artery disease (p = 0.001), stroke (p = 0.009), PVD (p < 0.001), laser photocoagulation (p < 0.001), sensory neuropathy (p < 0.001) and renal replacement therapy (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, diabetes duration, foot fissures, Charcot's foot, limited joint mobility, PVD and sensory neuropathy remained independently associated with diabetic foot disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Egypt, a mosaic of risk factors contributes to the high prevalence of diabetic foot disease in type 2 diabetes. These findings call for regular assessment of vascular, neuropathic and skin status to prevent these serious foot complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine (Unit of Diabetes), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. Electronic address: assaadkhalil@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Assaad-Khalil
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine (Unit of Diabetes), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abdel Rehim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine (Unit of Diabetes), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Megallaa
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine (Unit of Diabetes), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gaber
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine (Unit of Diabetes), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gamal
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine (Unit of Diabetes), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Rohoma
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Diabetic foot; Egypt; Prevalence; Risk factors