FOOT CARE AMONG DIABETIC-PATIENTS IN SOUTH AUCKLAND

Aim. To describe footcare among diabetic patients in south Auckland. M ethod. Direct interview of 331 European, 86 Maori and 123 Pacific Isla nds patients attending local diabetes services and a stratified subsam ple of general practitioners. Interviews included closed and open ques tions of diabetes knowledge, demographic and medical history and were followed by a thorough inspection of the feet. Results. Major lesions (amputation, foot ulcer) and predisposing lesions (callus or fungal in fection/maceration) were present in 48.5% of patients. Major lesions w ere particularly common among Pacific Islands patients (9.4%) vs Europ ean (3.9%), Maori (5.5%), (p < 0.05). Fungal infection/maceration was less common among Pacific Islands patients (23.0%) vs 42.3%, 42.2% res pectively, (p < 0.001). Fungal infection/maceration was more common an d callus formation less common among men when compared with women. For ty percent (n = 214) of patients, including eight with either an ulcer or a blister, had not had their feet examined over the preceding 12 m onths. Good foot care was present in 52.7% Europeans, 31.0% Maori and 26.8% Pacific Islands patients (p < 0.001). Diabetes knowledge was poo rest in those with poor foot care among Europeans and Maori. Conclusio n. While the provision of footcare advice, adherence to such advice an d monitoring of footcare remain uneven, the hospital and community cos ts of the diabetic foot will continue to be high.