Quality of life in patients with diabetic foot ulcers

Purpose : To compare Quality of Life (QoL) between diabetic patients with ( former or present) and without foot ulcers. Methods : Two patient groups of comparable age, sex distribution, type dist ribution and duration of diabetes were studied. Fourteen patients with form er or present, but clinically stable diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) were studi ed. The control group was 24 unknown patients with DFUs. None of the partic ipants had other diabetic complications or conditions that would potentiall y affect QoL. A diabetic foot risk score and QoL were assessed. QoL was sco red with the RAND-36, the Barthel Score (ADL) and the Walking and Walking S tairs Questionnaire (WSQ). Results : Marked and significant differences were found in physical functio ning (p <0.001), social functioning (p <0.05), physical role (p <0.001) and health experience (p <0.05) between the two groups with the RAND-36 and th e four subscales of the WSQ (all p <0.001). On all these scales, QoL was si gnificantly poorer in the study group. A correlation was found between the risk scores and QoL (physical functioning and physical role Spearman's r : -0.66, -0.56 and WSQ -0.63, -0.64, -0.67 and -0.71, respectively). Conclusion : Presence or history of DFUs has a large impact on physical rol e, physical functioning and mobility. Physical impairments especially influ enced QoL. Probably, QoL can be increased by providing attention that will enhance mobility and by giving advice about adaptations and special equipme nt.