Neuropathic and ischemic changes of the foot in Brazilian patients with diabetes

The prevalence of diabetes and resultant complications continues to increase in many countries, including Brazil. A 1-day, multicenter descriptive study involving people with type 2 diabetes was conducted 1) to identify and describe indicators of foot neuropathy and ischemia and examine their relationship, and 2) to examine the relationship between existing risk factors and patient demographic and clinical variables. Seventy-nine (79) patients with an average age of 60.9 years (SD = 13.28) participated in the study. After obtaining a history, the feet of all participants were examined (assessment, palpation, and sensitivity tests using a 128-Hz tuning fork and a 10-g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament). The majority of study participants were women (57%) and the average length of time since diagnosis of diabetes for all participants was 7.76 years (SD = 6.69). The majority of participants were found to have neuropathic and ischemic changes, risk factors for the development of ulcers, or both. Thirty-one patients (42.47%) had cramps, 29 reported numbness (39.73%), 31 (39.24%) lacked sensory perception to the monofilament, 26 (35.62%) experienced tingling, 16 had paresthesia (22.86%), 15 (19.99%) lacked vibratory perception to the tuning fork, 14 felt burning (19.44%), and six had hyperesthesia (10.34%). Certain neuropathic and ischemic changes, as well as some risk factors, were observed more often in male and aged patients, respectively. Men were significantly more likely than women to lack vibratory perception or posterior tibial pulse and to have calluses and an ingrown toenail. Claw toe, lack of sensory perception to the monofilament, lack of posterior tibial pulse, lack of hair, reduced capillary filling, onychomycosis, ingrown toenail, and varices were significantly more common in older than in younger study participants. These results reinforce the importance of regular preventive foot examinations of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and confirm that nursing foot care can easily be expanded to include these much-needed assessments.