Relationship of visual impairment and peripheral artery disease with the occurrence of diabetic foot ulcers in Dr. Moewardi Hospital

Abstract

Abstract Objective One of the diabetes mellitus (DM) complications is foot ulcers. Foot ulcers are influenced by many factors. DM puts patients at risk of injury because of visual impairment. Hyperglycemia can damage blood vessels, which results in peripheral artery disease (PAD). The purpose of this study was to find the relationship of visual impairment and PAD with diabetic foot ulcers. Methods This research used observational analytic study with case–control methods. It used purposive sampling in 34 DM patients with foot ulcers and 34 DM patients without foot ulcers. The research instruments were an interview guide to assess visual impairment, physical examination to assess PAD, and documentation study, which was used to know the incidence of diabetic ulcers. Results The results showed that the respondents who experienced ulcers with visual impairment were 44.1% and the respondents who had foot ulcers with PAD were 73.5%. The results of statistical tests showed that there was no relationship between visual impairment and the incidence of ulcers (P = 0.166). The respondents with PAD will have a chance to suffer from foot ulcers 5.808 times higher than those who do not have PAD. Conclusions There is no relationship between visual impairment and the incidence of diabetic foot ulcers in Dr. Moewardi Hospital, but there is relationship between PAD and the incidence of diabetic foot ulcers in Dr. Moewardi Hospital. Suggestions of this study are to do foot screening and educate about the importance of foot care to prevent the occurrence of diabetic ulcers.