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NEW SURVEY REVEALS CANADIANS LIVING WITH DIABETES ARE NOT PUTTING THEIR BEST FOOT FORWARD WHEN IT COMES TO PROPER FOOT CARE In a new survey of Canadians living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes conducted by Léger Marketing, sponsored by Eli Lilly Canada and being released in collaboration with the Canadian Diabetes Association, results indicate that while 9 in 10 Canadians with diabetes are aware they are at an increased risk of serious foot injuries, 4 in 10 admit to having their feet examined by a doctor less than once a year, only when something is wrong and for some, never. Of equal concern is that 7 in 10 do not examine their feet for blisters, cuts, temperature differences or other injuries on a daily basis and less than 1 in 10 admit to never following a daily nail or foot care regimen. ‘Clearly more needs to be done to assist Canadians living with diabetes to take the necessary precautions to protect their feet’, says Michael Cloutier, President and CEO, Canadian Diabetes Association. ‘Even small unnoticed and untreated foot injuries can potentially lead to serious complications. Prevention is the best medicine as a good daily nail and foot care regimen will keep your feet healthy’. With the arrival of warmer temperatures, many Canadians will begin wearing open toed footwear such as sandals or flip flops. But, for the more than 3 million Canadians (i) living with diabetes, footwear that exposes their feet can make them more susceptible to foot injuries, like a cut or blister. In addition, damage to their sensory nerves (known as ‘neuropathy’) can reduce their ability to feel pain, heat or cold in their feet and hands. (ii) This loss of sensation can lead to foot injuries that if left unnoticed can result in potentially serious complications, such as amputation. (iii) In fact, 85% of all leg amputations are a result of non healing foot ulcers more than half of which may have been prevented with more effective nail and foot care and by people with diabetes wearing appropriate footwear. It is estimated that 15% or 345 000 of Canadians living with diabetes will develop a diabetic foot ulcer in their lifetime. (iv) Canadians living with diabetes are 23 times more likely to be hospitalised for a limb amputation than people without diabetes. (v) Canadians living with diabetes who see a health care professional at least three times per year, however, are 33% less likely to undergo amputation? It is estimated that diabetic foot ulcers cost the Canadian health care system more than $150 million annually. (vi) According to the Canadian Diabetes Association’s Clinical Practice Guidelines, foot examinations should be an integral part of diabetes management for both people with diabetes and their health care providers. (vii) In fact, the Guidelines recommend foot examinations be performed at least once a year by a health care provider and more frequently for people with diabetes at high risk of foot ulceration and amputation. The Canadian Association of Wound Care (CAWC) also recognises the importance of good foot care. ‘Education is the key to reduce the occurrence of preventable complications, such as diabetes-related foot amputations. There are many resources available to help people with diabetes become experts in their own foot care – both on our website and in our Diabetes Healthy Feet and You program and our recently launched Peer Education initiative’, says Peggy Ahearn, Executive Director of the CAWC. ‘Having the right information can enable people with diabetes to take action. When they know the right questions to ask their health care professional, they develop a better understanding of how to properly care for their feet as risks can be identified and precautions advised’, says Dr Axel Rohrmann, podiatrist and Co-chair of the Canadian Diabetes Association’s Clinical Practice Guidelines Foot Care Tool Kit.