Outcome of foot examinations in Tanzanian and Swedish diabetic patients, a comparative study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of the current study was to present the outcome of clinical nurse performed foot examinations in a group of Tanzanian diabetic patients and make comparisons with matched Swedish patients.

BACKGROUND

Nurses working with diabetic patients in any country need to be familiar with foot problems in diabetic patients to educate patients about foot care.

DESIGN

A comparative study examining diabetic patients in Tanzania and Sweden with a quantitative approach.

METHOD

One hundred and forty-five diabetic patients in each country were examined. They were matched in gender and age. All patients responded verbally to questions about individual foot-care and underwent clinical foot examination concerning existing foot lesions, sensitivity testing using Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (5.07) and, vibratory perception using a tuning fork (128 Hz).

RESULTS

The Tanzanians had more reported foot problems than the Swedes. The latter reported problems due to poorly fitting footwear whilst the Tanzanians reported pain issues of the feet irrespective of footwear. In the Tanzanian group 37 patients presented with peripheral neuropathy (PN), 13 with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and six had both PN and PVD. In the Swedish group of patients four had PN, three PVD, but none had both PN and PVD. Only 20 Tanzanians reported carrying out self-inspections of their feet, while 103 Swedes reported doing so.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurse performed foot examinations showed that the Tanzanian diabetic patients in this study had poorer foot status than the Swedish study sample.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Knowledge about foot problems in diabetic patients worldwide will hopefully improve education about self foot-care and therefore decrease incidence of foot lesions and other foot problems in this cohort.