Prevalence of risk factors predisposing to foot problems in patients on hemodialysis.

A disturbingly high prevalence of single or bilateral lower extremity amputations in our program prompted us to conduct a study to identify the prevalence of risk factors that predispose patients on hemodialysis (HD) to foot problems. The study consisted of a one-time assessment of subjects' risk for and actual prevalence of amputation. The sample consisted of 232 subjects--56% male, 44% female.