Vascular disease and foot assessment in diabetes

Abstract

Complications of peripheral arterial disease can occur at an early stage in people with diabetes. Paul Burland discusses the importance of foot assessments in patients with diabetes and the treatment options available for peripheral arterial disease Wounds require an adequate blood supply to heal properly. In people with diabetes, blood supply can be compromised by peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and microvascular disease. PAD is a major cause of foot ulceration in people with diabetes. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence ( NICE, 2015a ) guidelines state that adults with diabetes should be assessed for evidence of limb ischaemia annually and whenever any new foot problems arise. Smoking is an important risk factor in PAD, and practice nurses can play a role in helping their patients with diabetes to understand the risk and provide support for them to stop smoking.