ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of each risk category for diabetic foot ulcer by foot screening test with Semmes-Weinstein monofilament and to evaluate the correlation of the risk category with clinical data in diabetic inpatients. METHOD: Foot screening tests with Semmes-Weinstein monofilament was performed in 90 diabetic inpatients to determined the risk category for diabetic foot ulcer. An average age of patients was 55 years, and an average duration of the disease was 11 years. The correlation of risk category was evaluated with age, duration of the disease, FBS (fasting blood glucose) level, HbA1c value, and complications of diabetes including retinopathy, peripheral polyneuropathy, and renal failure. RESULTS: Patients with risk category 0 had no loss of protective sensation in 34.4% of cases. Patients with risk category 1, 2, and 3 had loss of protective sensation in 16.7%, 28.9% and 20% of cases, respectively. The older a patient was and the longer the duration of the disease was, the higher the risk category was significantly (p<0.05). There was no significant correlation of risk category with FBS level and HbA1c value. Among the complications associated with diabetes, retinopathy and peripheral polyneuropathy significantly correlated with risk category (p<0.05), but renal failure was not significantly associated. CONCLUSION: The foot screening test with Semmes-Weinstein monofilament should be helpful for proper management of diabetic foot in inpatient.