Standard complication screening information can be used for risk assessment for first time foot ulcer among patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Aim: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a major complication of both Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D); however research into risk factors for DFU does not separate between these two types. The purpose of the present investigation was to identify risk factors for development of first time DFU (FTDFU) over a period of 15 years in patients with T1D and T2D separately.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 25,220 feet from 5588 patients with T1D and 7113 patients with T2D treated in the period 2001-2015. Data on baseline characteristics and comorbidities were collected from electronic patient records. Influences of various risk factors for the development of FTDFU were assessed by hazard ratios (HR) from Cox proportional hazard regression models on time from enrolment to FTDFU diagnosis or end-of-follow-up.

Results: In T1D independent risk factors were male sex, age >60 years, high HbA1c, long diabetes duration, history of cardiovascular disease, macro-albuminuria, decreased visual acuity, advanced diabetic retinopathy, decreased/absent vibration sense, presence of patient reported symptoms of neuropathy, and absence of foot pulses. In T2D the independent risk factors were the same except age >60 years, a history of cardiovascular disease, and long diabetes duration.

Conclusions: This study documents that much of the standard clinical information obtained as part of the routine follow-up are also independent risk factors for development of FTDFU. This may be used to create a basis for in which patient and when prevention should be started.