Risk evaluation of feet ulceration in people with diabetes mellitus in primary care

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the risk of foot ulceration in people with diabetes mellitus treated in primary care. Method: this is a cross-sectional analytical study carried out in Teresina, Piauí, with 308 patients, including those over 18 years old
diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and excluding those with active ulceration and/or neuropathy attributed to other conditions. The data were collected using a sociodemographic, clinical, and risk classification form for the foot ulceration, from February to August 2019. The analysis was based on descriptive and inferential
statistics. Results: in the study, 56.5% of the participants were over 60 years old, 59.7% did not perform glycemic control, 56.2% did not practice physical activity,
51.3% were overweight and 54.2% had a degree of risk 1 for foot ulceration. Marital status, occupation, and diabetes mellitus for more than 10 years, inadequate glycemic control, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity had a statistically significant association with the risk of ulceration. Those with dry skin, deformities, ankle reflexes, and altered perception of hallux vibration were
more likely to have foot ulcers. We found that the clinical examination of the feet and the preserved sensitivity to the monofilament were protective factors. Conclusion: we observed that the sociodemographic and clinical aspects interfere with the probability of ulceration and
most of them present a low risk. Also, in the clinical examination of the feet, changes in vibratory sensitivity and ankle reflex increased the likelihood of ulceration, noting that the classification of the risk of ulceration is essential in assisting people with diabetes mellitus.