Amputation rate high among Irish diabetics
Be vigilant: but the lack of public clinic podiatrists has been blamed for contributing to needless amputations among diabetics
Irish people with diabetes are 18 times more likely to have a lower limb amputated, such as a leg or foot, compared with those without the disease.
The stark statistic emerged in a study of lower limb amputations, which were not caused by accidents, between 2005 and 2009.
There are 160,000 people in Ireland with confirmed diabetes and another 30,000 who have undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes.
People with diabetes are more vulnerable to foot problems because the disease can damage the nerves and reduce blood flow to the feet.
The only note of optimism is that the rate of amputations among Irish diabetics remained steady over the years studied, according to the research presented at the winter scientific meeting of the Royal College of Physicians.
The research found that the amputation rate was 221.7 per 100,000 people with diabetes in 2005 and 193.1 per 100,000 in 2009.
This equates to around 1,579 people with diabetes in Ireland having an amputation below the knee during that time.
However, separate figures show a rise in diabetes-related lower limb amputations in 2010, up from 305 in 2009 to 392, which is hopefully not a reversal of the previous years' trends.
Somebody with diabetes is 18 times more likely to undergo an amputation than the general population, the researchers from UCC, the HSE and St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin revealed.
The lack of HSE public clinic podiatrists, a type of foot doctor, across the country has been blamed in the past for contributing to needless amputations among diabetics.
The availability of this service has improved and a national plan is now in place with counties like Kerry seeing the appointment of podiatrists last year.
However, the key message is that people with diabetes should examine their feet every day and take special precautions to prevent the build-up of problems.
These include:
- Wash and dry feet daily.
- Use mild soaps.
- Use warm water.
- Pat the skin dry and do not rub. Make sure they are thoroughly dry.
- After washing put lotion on the feet to prevent cracking but avoid putting it between toes.
- When carrying out a self-examination look at the tops and bottoms of the feet.
- Check for dry, cracked skin. Look for blisters, cuts, scratches, or other sores.
Check for redness, increased warmth, or tenderness when touching any area of your feet. Check for ingrown toenails, corns, and calluses.
- Avoid cutting into the corners of toes.
- Never go barefoot. Always protect your feet by wearing shoes or hard-soled slippers or footwear.
- Avoid shoes that expose your toes or heels (such as open-toed shoes or sandals). These types of shoes increase your risk of injury and potential infections.
Originally published in
