‘Lack of awareness about foot care practices lead to diabetes related complications’

Frances Game highlights diabetes foot complications in low-income countries; emphasizes prevention and simple interventions for amputation prevention.

Low- and middle-income countries bear a significant burden of diabetes-related foot complications, primarily owing to lack of awareness, said Frances Game, clinical director of R&D at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, NHS Foundation Trust, England.

Delivering the 39th Prof. M. Viswanathan Gold Medal Oration, organised by M.V. Hosptial for Diabetes, Dr. Game said inadequate management of foot ulcers often led to amputations. 

Pointing to a study that established that 80% of diabetic lower limb amputations were preceded by an ulcer, Dr. Game said the study questioned the prevailing dogma on the inevitability of diabetic foot complications, and established that the key to amputation prevention was foot ulcer prevention or healing of an existing ulcer. Dr. Game stressed upon the need for keeping the interventions ‘simple’ to prevent diabetic complications.

Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University Vice Chancellor K. Narayanasamy said a study on diabetic complications was under way in tribal areas.  

Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) national president and head of M.V.Hospital for Diabetes Vijay Viswanathan said that greater awareness, coupled with proper training, were key to prevent many unnecessary amputations. “India has unfortunately earned the dubious distinction of being the diabetes capital of the world, with over 10% of its population being affected. According to estimates by the Indian Council of Medical Research, India has 101 million people living with diabetes. However, for every diagnosed case, another remains undetected. In Tamil Nadu, the prevalence of diabetes is approximately 15%-18% in urban areas and 6%-8% in rural regions,” he said.

At the event, RSSDI released a white paper highlighting key challenges and strategies. RSSDI is focused on expanding access to care by leveraging mobile health units and telemedicine to reach underserved areas. It is also dedicated to raising public awareness through nationwide campaigns that educate people about diabetes risks, preventive measures, and treatment options. RSSDI aims to partner with technology providers to roll out telemedicine, mobile applications, and AI-driven health monitoring. Additionally, a national diabetes registry will help track and optimise treatment strategies.