ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most feared and common complications of diabetes. It is a major cause of disability, morbidity and mortality among diabetic patients and about 15% develop foot ulcers in their lifetime. Annual foot exam in diabetic patients and education on foot care is a cost effective way of preventing foot ulcers and amputations. METHODS: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital Diabetes Center on 200 participants using the 60 seconds diabetic foot ulcer screening tool from April to August 2014. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients were included in the study. The male to female ratio was 1 to 2.64 (55 to 145). The median age was 50 years (IQR, 39-59 years) and median duration of diabetes mellitus was 11 years (IQR, 6-11 years). Among the 200 patients, 169 (84.5%) had type 2 diabetes mellitus, whereas; 31(15.5%) had type 1 diabetes mellitus. Among the participants, only 9 (4.5%) had foot examination in the last 5 years. Thirty one (15.5%) participants had history of previous ulcer, 1 (0.5%) had history of amputation, 11 (5.5%) had deformity of shape and structure of the foot. Among the participants, 71 (35.5%) had at least one risk factor for the development of diabetic foot ulcer. CONCLUSION: Diabetic foot problems are common among the diabetic patients examined at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital Diabetic Center. Screening for diabetic foot ulcer is a very easy practice which will take maximum of 60 seconds per patient. Despite this fact it is barely practiced for outpatients visiting the diabetic clinics. We stress the need for a clinical diagnosis of diabetic foot ulcers using the 60 seconds screening tool.