Determination of Risk Factors for the Development of Diabetic Foot Disease

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze risk factors involved in the development of diabetic foot disease. Methods: Eighty-five diabetic foot patients and 109 diabetes mellitus diagnosed patients without diabetic foot disease (as the control group) were involved in this study. This was an analytic, case-control study. A questionnaire interrogating the patients’ socio-demographic characteristics, general information about their diseases and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 were used in this research. Results: According to this study, diabetic foot disease is more frequently observed in male patients, in smokers, in those with an education level lower than high school and in those with a low income level. The rate of insulin users was higher in the group with diabetic foot disease. A history of retinopathy has been identified as a risk factor for diabetic foot disease. Each 1 unit of decline in e-GFR level increases the risk of diabetic foot development by 2%. Regular exercise is five times protective against diabetic foot disease. Conclusions: A decline in e-GFR values was a risk for diabetic foot disease; regular blood glucose monitoring and regular exercise were protective against diabetic foot disease. These factors should be considered in the management of diabetes mellitus.