Evaluation of Podological Risk at Type 2 Diabetics Tracked at the Mark Sankale Diabetes Center in Dakar

Abstract

Introduction: The diabetic foot is a real public health problem due to its economic and functional impact with a high risk of amputations. The objective was to determine the podiatric risk of type 2 diabetics according to the classification of the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) in order to put in place suitable prevention measures. Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study conducted over 12 months from May 01, 2018 to May 01, 2019 and concerning subjects with type 2 diabetes regularly followed up at the Marc Sankale Center at Abass Ndao Hospital in Dakar. Results: Two hundred (200) patients were collected with an average age of 58.9 ± 10 years, a sex ratio of 0.43. The majority of our patients had diabetes less than 5 years of age (52%) and were on non-insulin medication (63%). The average HbA1c level was 8.1%. Besides diabetes, high blood pressure and dyslipidemia were the most common cardiovascular risk factors in 65% and 25%, respectively. The main podiatric risk factors were: neuropathy (75.5%), arteriopathy (31.5%), deformities (19.5%), history of ulceration (24%) and amputation (2%). Factors associated with the risk of ulceration were: walking barefoot (42%), wearing tight shoes (26.5%), wearing unsuitable socks (46%), gait disturbance (39%), traumatic pedicure (3.5%). The podiatric risk assessment according to the IWGDF grading had identified a podiatric risk foot in 80% of the cases. Depending on the grade of injury, it was a grade 0 (20%), grade 1 (32%), grade 2 (34%) and grade 3 (14%) risky foot. A significant correlation was established between the onset of diabetic foot and age ( p < 0.05), HbA1c ( p < 0.02), the duration of diabetes ( p < 0.01). Conclusion: Podiatric assessment remains an essential point in the fight against complications of diabetes. This study demonstrates the high risk of developing diabetic foot, hence the importance of good grade planning to reduce the impact.