Among patients with diabetes, one of the major causes of increased morbidity and mortality include lower-extremity complications. Patients who have peripheral neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease are at risk of developing foot ulcers and infection, which can lead to lower-extremity amputations. Adults with diabetes in Canada are 20 times more likely to be hospitalized for a nontraumatic lower limb amputation than adults without diabetes. Thus, the prevention, education and early treatment of diabetes foot complications are an important component of caring for patients living with diabetes.
In addition to neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease, risk factors for developing foot ulcers include increased levels of glycated hemoglobin, onychomycosis, microvascular complications, previous foot ulcer or amputation, structural deformity, and limited joint mobility. To the best of our knowledge, the prevalence of foot complications, such as onychomycosis, and the association of diabetes foot complications with glycemic control and other diabetes risk factors, has not been assessed before in a large sample of Canadian patients. To better understand foot complications among patients with diabetes in Canada, the investigators will retrospectively examine patient data collected during diabetes foot assessments performed by the LMC Chiropody Team. The LMC Chiropody Team is part of LMC Diabetes \& Endocrinology, which is one of the largest endocrine practice groups globally.
