Diabetic foot ulcers in Port Moresby General Hospital 2003-2008: review of the principles of effective prevention and management of diabetic foot.
- Author:
Kuzma, Jerzy
;
Hasola, Damien J
;
Lino, Tom
;
Liko, Osborne
;
Waine, Arnold
;
Kevau, Ikau
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:
Papua and New Guinea medical journal
2012;55(1-4):61-6
- CountryPapua New Guinea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
In the recent decade in Papua New Guinea and other Pacific countries there has been an increasing trend of lifestyle diseases, including obesity associated with diabetes mellitus. Foot ulceration and infection leading to amputation are common and feared complications of diabetes. Yet these are potentially the most preventable of all complications in diabetic patients. Several studies have shown that half of all diabetic foot ulcers can be prevented by education and simple foot care. The primary goal of this study was to depict the scale of the diabetic foot as a community health problem. The secondary goal was to review the current literature on diabetic foot in order to develop a more effective preventive strategy.