RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To construct and validate an assessment instrument to evaluate the feet of people with diabetes mellitus in Brazil. METHODS: Methodological research developed in three stages: construction of the Assessment Instrument for the Feet of People with Diabetes Mellitus, validation of face and content validity, and field research with 131 participating patients. The Pearson (r) and Spearman correlation coefficients (ρ) were used for criterion validity. To test reliability, the internal consistency of the Cronbach α domains was evaluated and simple κ, weighted κ, and intraclass correlation coefficients for interobserver evaluation were determined. RESULTS: The instrument demonstrated validity and reliability. The content validity index represented a high internal consistency (α > .70). The interclass correlation coefficient was high (>0.98). The Pearson (r) and Spearman (ρ) correlation tests confirmed a correlation between the two variables. CONCLUSIONS: The instrument was valid and reliable for assessing the feet of people with diabetes mellitus in Brazil. Future studies should identify the cut off point for the diagnosis of neuropathic and vascular impairment of the feet of diabetic persons through appropriate statistical methods.