Foot complications in people with diabetes: A community-based study in Taiwan

Background and purpose: This comparative cross-sectional and community-base d study was aimed at defining foot complications in diabetic patients. Thes e data have not yet been reported for Asian societies. Methods: Of a population of 3,602 subjects aged 35 years or more in Chin-Sh an, Taipei, 309 diabetic patients were identified. Two hundred and nineteen (71%) of those patients were compared to 100 individuals randomly selected for the nondiabetic control group in the same community. Results: Three diabetic patients underwent lower extremity amputation and f our had skin ulcerations. Diabetic patients had a significantly higher prev alence of peripheral neuropathy (32.4% vs 16%), arterial insufficiency (12. 6% vs 3.0%), and medial arterial calcification (13.6% vs 5.0%), when compar ed to the nondiabetic controls. The age and sex-adjusted rates of hallux va lgus, loss of skin hair on the dorsum of the foot, tinea unguium; arterial insufficiency, medial artery calcification, and peripheral neuropathy were significantly higher in diabetic than nondiabetic subjects. Aging and hyper glycemia (> 140 mg/dL) increased the prevalence of foot complications in bo th groups. Foot complications were also remarkably associated with the dura tion of diabetes (P = 0.003). Conclusions: This study shows that diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased likelihood of foot complications in this geographically defined T aiwanese population. Patient age and diabetic duration are associated with the significantly higher prevalence of foot complications.