Prevention of amputation by diabetic education

Abstract

This prospective randomized study evaluated the influence of a simple education program on the incidence of lower extremity amputation in diabetic patients. Two hundred three patients were randomized into two groups: Group 1, education (103 patients, 203 limbs) and Group 2, no education (100 patients, 193 limbs). There were no significant differences in medical management or clinical risk factors between the two groups. The amputation rate was three times higher in Group 2 (21 of 177 limbs versus 7 of 177 limbs; p less than or equal to 0.025), the ulceration rate was three times higher in Group 2 (26 of 177 limbs versus 8 of 177 limbs; p less than or equal to 0.005), and there was no difference in the overall incidence of infection (2 of 177 limbs). Overall success in Group 1 was highly significantly different from Group 2 (160 of 177 limbs versus 128 of 177 limbs; p less than or equal to 0.0005). This study demonstrated that a simple education program significantly reduced the incidence of ulcer or foot and limb amputation in diabetic patients.