The diabetic foot: update on a common clinical syndrome.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 3995 non-hospitalized diabetic patients to evaluate symptoms commonly associated with "diabetic foot" syndrome. Each patient was examined twice over 2 years during routine follow-up. The male/female ratio differed significantly between the study group and general population. Men were more prevalent in the diabetic group up to age 49 years. Thereafter, the proportion of females increased. The clinical signs present in various combinations in those with diabetic feet were dermatological findings, foot and toe deformities, open wounds and ulcerations, pulselessness, and neurological deficiencies. The female/male ratio for each symptom was significantly higher for women except for ulcerations, which were more common in men.