Effect of a preventive foot care program on lower extremity complications in diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease

Background Lower extremity complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and diabetes mellitus. Patient education programs may decrease the risk of diabetic foot complications. Methods A preventive program was instituted, consisting of regular assessments by a foot care nurse with expertise in foot care and wound management and patient education about foot care practices and footwear selection. Medical records were reviewed and patients were examined. A comparison was made with data about patients from a previous study done from this institution prior to development of the foot care program. Results Diabetic subjects more frequently had weakness of the left tibialis anterior, left tibialis posterior, and left peroneal muscles than non-diabetic subjects. A smaller percentage of diabetic subjects had sensory neuropathy compared with the previous study from 5years earlier, but a greater percentage of diabetic subjects had absent pedal pulses in the current study. The frequency of inadequate or poor quality footwear was less in the current study compared with the previous study. Conclusions The current data suggest that a foot care program consisting of nursing assessments and patient education may be associated with a decrease in frequency of neuropathy and improved footwear adequacy in diabetic patients with ESRD.