Diabetes-related foot ulcers and associated factors: results from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Survey (HUNT3) (2006-2008).

Aim: To determine the proportion of people with diabetes reporting a history of foot ulcer and investigate associated factors and healing time in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Survey (HUNT3), Norway.

Methods: In 2006-2008, all inhabitants in Nord-Trøndelag County aged ≥ 20 years were invited to take part in this population-based study; 54% (n=50,807) attended. In participants reporting to have diabetes we examined the relationships between foot ulcers requiring more than 3 weeks to heal (DFU) and sociodemographic, lifestyle and clinical variables using logistic regression analysis.

Results: Among participants with diabetes, 7.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.2%-8.6%) reported a DFU. The median healing time was 6.0 weeks. In the final model, factors associated with a DFU were age ≥ 75 years (odds ratio (OR) 2.3, 95% CI 1.4-3.7), male sex (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.1), waist circumference ≥ 102 cm (men) or 88 cm (women) (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.2-3.2), insulin use (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.4) and any macrovascular complication (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.8).

Conclusions: The proportion of people with diabetes reporting a DFU was 7.4%, associated factors were age ≥ 75 years, male sex, waist circumference ≥ 102 cm (men) or 88 cm (women), insulin use and any macrovascular complication. The median healing time was 6 weeks.