Can patient education prevent diabetic foot ulcers?

This review examined whether patient education can prevent foot ulcers in diabetics.

Chronic high blood glucose (sugar) levels in patients with diabetes can result in damage to small blood vessels, leading to various vascular complications. Damage to small blood vessels in the foot can lead to a diabetic foot (lack of blood supply to foot). Diabetic foot is associated with ulceration (sores on the skin), gangrene (death of tissue) and amputation (removal of foot). Foots ulcers may be prevented by educating patients.

This review aimed to summarize results from 12 trials which investigated whether patient education on foot care can prevent foot ulcers.

One trial reported that patients were 69% less likely to develop foot ulceration one year after a one hour group education session. This trial also showed that these patients had a 67% lower risk of having a foot amputation one year after the education session. However, another study showed that there was no decrease in either risk following education.

Five out of 8 trials reported a short-term improvement in patient foot knowledge. Foot care was improved in 7 out of 9 trials. Nail problems and fungal infections were improved in 5 trials.

This review concluded that education may improve foot care knowledge patient and foot care in patients. However, patient education alone may not be sufficient to reduce the rates of foot ulcers and amputations.