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Current Practice of Podiatrists in Testing for Diabetic Polyneuropathy and Implementing Foot Care (PROTECT Study
Dan Ziegler1, Sindy Burow2, Rüdiger Landgraf3
1Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Summary
Podiatrists frequently detect diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) and foot ulcers. Enhancing their service utilization is crucial for diabetic foot care and management.
Area of Science:
- Podiatry
- Diabetology
- Neurology
Background:
- Podiatrists are vital in multidisciplinary diabetic foot care teams.
- Current utilization of podiatry services for diabetic foot complications remains suboptimal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate podiatrists' daily practices regarding screening and monitoring of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN).
- To understand podiatrists' role in diabetic foot management and identify areas for service enhancement.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 125 podiatrists across 12 German federal states.
- Questionnaires gathered data on DSPN screening frequency, diagnostic tools used, and patient management strategies.
Main Results:
- 36% of podiatrists screened for DSPN annually; 10% screened at each visit.
- High utilization (81-94%) of sensory assessment tools was reported.
- Podiatrists frequently detected undiagnosed DSPN (24%) and foot ulcers (18.4%).
- Daily self-monitoring advice was provided by almost all, with over 50% offering medical treatment guidance.
Conclusions:
- Podiatrists are instrumental in identifying and managing DSPN and diabetic foot ulcers.
- Increased utilization of podiatry services is recommended to improve patient outcomes in diabetic foot care.
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