Analysis of Social Networks and Physical Activity Performed in the Management of Patients at Risk for Diabetic Foot—A Pilot Study

Abstract

Considering that the knowledge and control of the daily physical activity performed (PAP) is an important element in the management of patients with history of foot ulcers, peripheral neuropathy and/or peripheral vascular disease (at risk), the analysis of the social network map (SNM) perceived by themselves directly could also provide useful information to manage their diabetes. This study aimed to verify the possibility to evaluate the presence of a relationship between the characteristic of the SNM perceived and the PAP in addition to the metabolic control maintained in patients with longstanding diabetes mellitus at risk of foot ulcer. Interviews were conducted in 27 people: 10 patients: (males/females:6/4), mean age 56,2±16,7 years, duration of diabetes 18,3±10,3 years, mean HbA1c 8,0±1,1%, body mass index (BMI) 27,0±4,1 kg/m2, and in 17 age, sex and BMI matched nondiabetic controls. Participants were asked to fill in an egocentric SNM, which was divided into 5 areas: leisure and PAP, family, job, health care, and other. It was assigned a value ranging from 0 (none) to 5 (maximum) to define the importance and frequency of the relationships reported. The PAP was evaluated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ). In the patient group the duration of the disease was directly correlated with the health area (r = 0.83, p <0.1) while the level of physical activity reported (IPAQ) was inversely correlated with the family area (r = -0.74; p <0.01). The importance of friendly societies reported was lower in the patient group (1.0 ± 2 vs. 3.8 ± 1.5; p <0.01) while the area of leisure activities was inversely correlated with metabolic control (r = -0.65; p <0.05) and directly correlated with disease duration (r = 0.75; p <0.01). The results of this pilot study showed that the analysis of patients’ SNM could improve knowledge and therefore provide additional information useful for better management of these patients. Disclosure P. Francia: None. A. Tedeschi: None. M. Gulisano: None. G. Iannone: None. A. Vittori: None. U. Santosuosso: None. F. Paternostro: None. R. Anichini: Advisory Panel; Self; Abbott. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH. Advisory Panel; Self; Eli Lilly and Company, AstraZeneca. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Merck & Co., Inc., Takeda Development Centre Europe Ltd.. Advisory Panel; Self; Sanofi, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Research Support; Self; Grünenthal Group.