An epidemiological survey of diabetic foot problems in the Stockholm County 1982

Diabetic foot disease is a severe complication to diabetes mellitus. Preventive measures can reduce its occurrence and consequences. The present study was performed in order to assess the prevalence of diabetic foot disease in an urbanized area with well developed medical facilities. The study was based on a mail questionnaire to a stratified, randomized sample of 742 diabetics living in the Stockholm county. Only one third of these patients were free of diabetic foot symptoms. Many patients with severe signs found it difficult to take care of their feet, were living alone and did not seek professional help for their foot problems. Only 66% of the patients with severe foot disease utilized hospitals for their diabetes care. Furthermore, only half of them relied on some type of professional care for their feet.