Regularity of preventive foot care in persons with diabetes: results from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the regularity of preventive care for persons with diabetes in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study to identify associated demographic, lifestyle, and disease-related factors. Among 1,972 persons with diabetes, 1,459 (74%) answered questions related to preventive foot care. The final sample included 1,312 persons with known diabetes, but without a self-reported history of foot ulcer. Almost 85% reported receiving regular clinical diabetes examinations, 31.7% reported regular foot inspection by health care personnel, and 66.3% reported foot self-inspection. Only 58.8% reported regular clinical diabetes examination combined with foot inspection. Males, patients not using insulin, and those with shorter diabetes duration or macrovascular complications were more likely to report less regular preventive care.