Prevalence and Factors Influencing Diabetic Foot Ulcers among Saudi Diabetic Patients Attending Diabetes Outpatient Clinics in the Governmental Hospitals in Riyadh City

Diabetes is a major health problem worldwide. It is related to the autoimmune destruction of beta cell in the pancreas that secretes insulin (type 1) or from insulin resistance and deficiency (type II); characterized by increased blood glucose level. Uncontrolled diabetes is associated with many serious long-term complications. including renal failure, retinopathy, neuropathy, foot ulcer, and amputation of diabetes. The current study aims to investigate Prevalence and Factors Influencing Diabetic Foot Ulcers Among Saudi Diabetic Patients Attending Diabetes Outpatient Clinics in the three Governmental Hospitals in Riyadh City through the distribution of a semi-structured questionnaire on a randomly selected sample (N=100). Study findings had indicated that 49% of the study participants had good knowledge level regarding diabetes and diabetic foot self-care practice was observed among (53%) of the patients. Moreover, Findings had shown that 19% of the Saudi diabetic patients attending diabetes outpatient clinics in the governmental hospitals in Riyadh city have diabetic foot ulcers. Furthermore, findings had shown that 63% of the diabetic patients with foot ulcers were from rural areas. The study recommended that about the risk of developing foot ulcers and the importance of the diet and weight reduction, regular blood pressure check and wearing the suitable fitting shoes.