Burden of diabetic foot syndrome in rural community: Need for screening and health promotion.

Context: Living with diabetes can be difficult since it can affect the patient in many ways. Diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) is described as a group of symptoms where neuropathy reduced blood supply and infection leads to tissue breakdown and morbidity. Aim: This study aims to determine the prevalence of DFS and associated sociodemographic and treatment-related factors among adults living with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a rural community. Setting and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an area under the rural health training centre of department of Community Medicine. Methods and Material: The study was conducted to determine DFS by measuring neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease using Michigan neuropathy screening instrument, and clinical examination. Statistical Analysis Used: The data collected was analyzed using SPSS 25. Results: The prevalence of DFS among those with type 2 diabetes mellitus was high (51.7%). DFS was associated with advanced age (>75 years), duration of diabetes for more than 5 years and with foot ulcer. Smoking and alcohol consumption were not associated with DFS. Conclusion: Half of those with diabetes had DFS. People with DFS were more likely to be older and living with diabetes for longer duration. This underscores the need for early identification of DFS by the primary care physicians. Further research on the role of health professionals at the primary care level in educating and screening DFS in people with diabetes are required.

Risk of Fall among Older Adults and its Association with Cognitive Impairment in a Semi-Urban Community.

CONTEXT: Fall in older people is a major public health concern. Two-third of the death due to fall are preventable. Risk assessment in older adults therefore is the first step to identify the high-risk group to plan need-based intervention. AIMS: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of risk of fall among older adults and its association with cognitive impairment and sociodemographic characteristics. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the field practice areas of the department of community medicine in a teaching hospital in South Kerala, India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Berg Balance Scale and Mini-Cog Test were used for measuring risk of fall and cognitive impairment. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for the statistical analysis using SPSS. RESULTS: Among the older adults, 45% were at risk of fall, 42.4% in males and 57.6% in females. The risk of fall was found to be significantly associated with cognitive impairment, (odds ratio = 3.89, confidence interval at 95% = 2.06-7.31, P < 0.001). Advanced age, female gender, and unemployed status were significantly associated with the risk of fall. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of fall prevalence was high and significantly related to cognitive impairment, advanced age, female gender, and occupational status, with more than half of those currently not working having a higher risk. The study would recommend regular follow-up of risk groups for prevention a good percentage of fall and thereby the related injuries.