Footwear in the causation and prevention of foot ulcers in diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND.: Inappropriate footwear may be a major cause of foot ulceration among patients with diabetic neuropathy in India. No study has specifically examined the types of footwear or its components in patients with diabetes mellitus and their role in causing foot ulcers. We analysed the role of commonly used footwear in India in inducing first foot ulcers (FFU) in people with diabetes. METHODS.: Of 4800 patients with diabetes attending our centre over 1 year, 301 had FFU from different causes. Sixty-six patients with diabetic neuro-/vasculopathy presenting with ulcers due to footwear were included as cases. An equal number of patients with diabetes but without foot ulcers were enrolled as controls. Cases and controls were matched demographically and clinically for type of diabetes, metabolic control, duration of diabetes, comorbid conditions and foot neurovascular status. We did a detailed foot examination for neurological, vascular and wound status. We also evaluated the footwear in both groups. RESULTS.: In one-fifth of 335 limbs (301 patients), the primary cause for the FFU was use of inappropriate footwear. The patients used seven different models of footwear, six of which were found to be inappropriate. The straps of footwear caused over 50% of ulcers. Another one-third were due to penetration of sharp objects through the outer sole of footwear; among these cases, 1 3.6% of ulcers were caused by not using soft inner soles. CONCLUSIONS.: The use of softer insole is least effective in preventing foot ulcers. Similarly, straps contribute to a higher percentage of foot ulcers. Foot ulcers can be prevented by a combination of soft insole, with midsole and hard outsole with proper back counter and adjustable front and back straps.

Prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension in a community-based primary health care program villages at central India.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of a community-based effort in a rural area of central India to decrease the prevalence of hypertension among the middle-aged and older population by using multiple blood pressure measurements. METHODS: With a prevalence of 16.8% (error of 3.36, and 95% confidence interval) from a recent study in a nearby district, the sample size required for this study was 495 subjects. A proportionally stratified random sample design was used. With maps of ten villages, where in a community-based health project had been in place for many years, 20 households and 20 backups were randomly selected from a list of all households. Multiple BP measurements were obtained and categorized and one-month period prevalence was calculated. Statistical analyses of frequency and percentage were performed. RESULTS: Approximately one-fifth of the population above 40 years of age in central India where a community-based approach is in place was hypertensive. This is significantly lower than the previously documented prevalence rate of one-third or even more prevalence rate in India. The attribute of caste and religion, a specific rural Indian characteristic did not have any significant bearing on the above results. The prevalence tended to increase progressively with age until 70 years, after which it declined. Multiple blood pressure measurements may yield an accurate prevalence of hypertension. CONCLUSION: With the documented evidences from India, the current reduced prevalence of hypertension could have been influenced by the community-based interventions in this population.

Chylothorax following innominate vein thrombosis--a rare complication of transvenous pacemaker implantation.

A case of chylothorax following innominate vein thrombosis which developed as a late complication of transvenous pacemaker implantation is discussed. A 78-year-old man presented with a refractory left-sided pleural effusion, which turned out to be a chylothorax. He had undergone a transvenous pacemaker implantation 6 years earlier for sick sinus syndrome. Aetiological work-up showed occlusion of the innominate vein as the cause for the chylothorax. The chylothorax resolved following pleurodesis with talc slurry, and the innominate vein was recanalized by angioplasty. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of this nature.

Chylothorax following innominate vein thrombosis: a rare complication of transvenous pacemaker implantation.

A case of chylothorax following innominate vein thrombosis, which developed as a late complication of transvenous pacemaker implantation, is discussed. A 78-year-old man presented with a refractory left-sided pleural effusion, which turned out to be chylothorax. He had undergone a transvenous pacemaker implantation 6 years earlier for sick sinus syndrome. The aetiological workup showed occlusion of the innominate vein as the cause for the chylothorax. The chylothorax resolved following pleurodesis with talc slurry, and the innominate vein was recanalized by angioplasty. To our knowledge this is the first report of a case of this nature.