Introduction and Objective: The diabetes foot disease (DFD) is a prevalent condition that challenges the health system. Diabetes education help people gain skills for self-care and the assessment of the individual patient’s knowledge of diabetes can make it more effective. This study aims to evaluate the clinical, sociodemographic profile and the knowledge about diabetes among patients with DFD in a public care center in BrazilMethods: A Cross-sectional, observational study conducted through interviews and chart reviews in which sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained from patients attending a public foot clinic due to DMF. A Portuguese version of Diabetes Knowledge Scale Questionnaire (DKN-A) was used to evaluate diabetes knowledge among patients. This instrument has a total score ranging from 0 to 15. A score <8 indicates insufficient knowledge. The study was approved by IPADE ethic board (CAAE: 39700720.0.0000.5049). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23Results: A total of 155 patients with DFD, 58,7% female, 60% had type 2 DM, ages varying from 17-85 years (average of 60.2 years), 71% with more than 10 years of disease, were evaluated. Regarding socioeconomical status, 11% were illiterate, 51.6% had elementary education, 25,2% were employed, 55,4% had a family income and between 1-2 minimum wages. Only 37% had Hba1c available, with a mean value of 8.87% (±1.64SD). The knowledge about diabetes was insufficient in 60% of the patients, with an average score of 6.94 (±2.76SD). The hypoglycemia and sick days procedures domains had an error rate >70%. No correlation was found between low DKN-A score and metabolic control, adherence to treatment or glucose monitoring practicesConclusion: This study shows a low knowledge about DM in a group of long-standing diseases, mostly in important survival skills such as hypoglycemia and sick days care and highlights the need to improve. This underscores the need for health interventions aimed at improving health education in patients with DFD
L.S. Facanha: None. L.S. Lopes: None. L. Facanha: None. I.M. Rocha: None. M.R. Hasbun: None. C. Facanha: None.
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