Sociocultural practices and epidemiology of diabetic foot problem: Lessons from a study in Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand

Abstract

The data on sociocultural practices and epidemiology of diabetic foot problems are scarce in Thailand. This report used data found in a database with patients involved in multidisciplinary foot care. Of the 511 patients with diabetes, 475 (93.0%) patients had type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of foot ulcers in diabetic patients was 12.5% and the amputation rate was 1.4%. A total of 32.7% of patients suffered from neuropathic problems. Barefoot walking inside the house was found 55.4% of the time, and this seemed to link closely with Thai sociocultural practices. Improvement in foot care was a direct result of foot care education. © The Author(s) 2011.