01429nas a2200205 4500000000100000008004100001653001800042653001300060653001800073653000900091653001500100653001100115100001700126700001700143700001500160245005700175300001400232490000700246520097000253 2016 d10aComplications10aDiabetes10aFoot Diseases10aOman10aPrevention10aUlcers1 aAl-Busaidi I1 aAbdulhadi NN1 aCoppell KJ00aCare of patients with diabetic foot disease in Oman. a270–2760 v163 a

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health challenge and causes substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Diabetic foot disease is one of the most debilitating and costly complications of diabetes. While simple preventative foot care measures can reduce the risk of lower limb ulcerations and subsequent amputations by up to 85%, they are not always implemented. In Oman, foot care for patients with diabetes is mainly provided in primary and secondary care settings. Among all lower limb amputations performed in public hospitals in Oman between 2002–2013, 47.3% were performed on patients with diabetes. The quality of foot care among patients with diabetes in Oman has not been evaluated and unidentified gaps in care may exist. This article highlights
challenges in the provision of adequate foot care to Omani patients with diabetes. It concludes with suggested strategies for an integrated national diabetic foot care programme in Oman.