Foot complications in people with diabetes: Experience with 105 Nigerian Africans

• Autores: Ismaila Adigun, John Olarinoye
• Localización: Diabetic Foot Journal, ISSN 1462-2041, Vol. 11, Nº. 1, 2008, págs. 36-42
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Diabetes is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (McLarty et al, 1990). As a single complication of diabetes, the diabetic foot is responsible for more hospitalisations than all other complications put together (Boulton, 1990) and it is the most common cause of non-traumatic, non-neoplastic amputation in the lower extremity (Solagberu and Kuranga, 2002). People with diabetes attending an outpatient clinic at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, were prospectively recruited into this study. Clinical assessment of each of the 105 individuals was done by interns and post-graduate doctors (registrars) for evidence of peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease and foot complications, among others. The age range was 15–88 years (mean age 56.78 years). Various foot complications were observed, with foot ulceration being the most common (29.5%). Diabetic foot complications are of particularly high incidence in the West-African sub-region and the importance of foot care should be emphasised when diabetes is first diagnosed and reinforced at regular intervals. There is a need to establish a multidisciplinary foot clinic to address the special care of people with diabetic foot complications in this sub-region.