A PROSPECTIVE STUDY: KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT AND PATIENT CARE OF DIABETIC FOOT ULCER PATIENTS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Sheena Marin Thomas,Harsha Devi S.,Ishita Gajjar Nitin,M. Uday Kiran Reddy

doi:10.22159/ijpps.2017v9i11.21168

Sheena Marin Thomas, Harsha Devi S. + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2017v9i11.21168

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Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge with a diabetic foot ulcer, to evaluate the severity and grade of diabetic foot ulcer, to study the self-care behaviour and medication adherence in a patient with diabetic foot ulcer and to counsel the patients.Methods: The KAP, self-care foot behaviour and MMAS-8 questionnaire were given during interview; severity using Wagner’s scale was assessed. Knowledge, attitude, self-care foot practice and adherence was measured based on various parameters such as demographic factors, clinical characteristics, and medication taking characteristics. It was measured before and after the patient counselling to see improvement in the quality of life.Results: In the study period of 6 mo 111 cases were gathered. There were 74 (66%) patients who were illiterate; the patients with low economic status were 63 (56%). Patients who are illiterate have poor knowledge and poor self-care behaviour, in our study 74 (66%) are illiterate which improved after counselling and 59 patients with high knowledge. Medication adherence is also associated with the education of the patient. After counselling and providing knowledge most of the patients are having high KAP scores. Wagner’s scale for the study of the severity shows that most of the patients 30 out of 111 are having Grade 4 of the score which shows the need of counselling and education towards foot care. Improvement in the self-care practice and on safety and prevention was seen after counselling.Conclusion: Knowledge, attitude, self-care practice and adherence of the patient can be improved by establishing a good patient-provider relationship and giving proper patient counselling to the patient or their relatives.

Highlights

Diabetic foot ulcer is defined as a non-healing or poorly healing full thickness wound, through the dermis, below the ankle in an individual with diabetes mellitus
In our study maximum patients were in the age group of 51-60 y with patients and 61-70 y with patients
Our studies revealed that majority of the patients were in the age group between 40–65 y

Summary

Introduction

Diabetic foot ulcer is defined as a non-healing or poorly healing full thickness wound, through the dermis, below the ankle in an individual with diabetes mellitus. Foot ulcers are a common complication of diabetes and represent a major source of morbidity [1]. One-third of all diabetic patients have significant peripheral neuropathy and/or peripheral vascular disease. In India, the prevalence of foot ulcers in diabetic patients in clinical population is 3%, which is much lower than reported in the western world [2]. The lifetime incidences of foot ulcerations among diabetes patients have been estimated to be as high as 25%. In England, 44.6 per 10,000 persons with diabetes undergo lower extremity amputations (LEAs) in a year, whereas in USA, it was 55 per 10,000 diabetics [3]

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