A Descriptive Study to Assess the Knowledge, Practices and Risk Factors of Diabetic Foot Ulcers among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus at KMCH, Coimbatore

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease marked by high blood glucose, which can seriously harm the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Person living with diabetes mellitus has a high chance of developing diabetic foot, a condition which can lead to disability and death, which often requires extended hospitalisation and significant costs. Awareness and attitude toward the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers are necessary for a better quality of life. Educating patients with diabetes about the methods of foot care has an important role in preventing diabetic foot complications in individuals with diabetes mellitus. This descriptive study on 60 OPD patients undergoing treatment at Kovai Medical Center & Hospital (KMCH), Coimbatore (TN) sought to assess the knowledge, practices and risk factors of diabetic foot ulcers, identify the risk factors, correlate total risk and its components, and associate the level of risk factors for developing foot ulcer with selected demographic and clinical variables. The study found moderate level of risk in 85 percent patients, high risk in 15 subjects, the most predominant risk factor being vascular changes followed by sensation of feet.