Identification of risk in diabetics screened in the community

Abstract

Introduction: Epidemiological data derived from screening have demonstrated their value in improving medical care for individuals with diabetes, particularly in the detection of foot lesions as a means of preventing diabetic foot, a condition with high morbidity, leading to high costs and disability for those affected.

Objective: To identify, through screening of the registered diabetic population, alterations in their feet and classify them according to risk levels.

Methods: An analytical, clinical-epidemiological study was conducted through screening at the 28 de Septiembre polyclinic in Santiago de Cuba, with a sample of 1,405 registered diabetics. They underwent an interview and a physical examination to detect vascular, dermatological, and neurological alterations. The variables assessed included pulse examination, skin alterations, and sensory disorders. Statistical tests were applied to the data according to the type of quantitative or qualitative variable.

Results: Of the total screened individuals, 67,0 % presented no alterations. Among those with alterations, females predominated (66,0 %), with a high percentage of people over 65 years of age (41,3 %). Protective sensory alterations and foot deformities were the most frequently found, occurring in 91.0 % of cases, with a predominance of low risk in 53, 4 % of those screened.

Conclusions: The identification of foot alterations in people with diabetes demonstrated the existence of at-risk foot under conditions of diabetic foot prevention.