Differences in foot self-care and lifestyle between men and women with diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective:to investigate differences with regard to foot self-care and lifestyle between men and women with diabetes mellitus.Method: cross-sectional study conducted in a sample of 1,515 individuals with diabetes mellitus aged 40 years old or older. Poisson regression models were used to identity differences in foot self-care deficit and lifestyle between sexes, adjusting for socioeconomic and clinical characteristics, smoking and alcohol consumption.Results: foot self-care deficit, characterized by not regularly drying between toes; not regularly checking feet; walking barefoot; poor hygiene and inappropriately trimmed nails, was significantly higher among men, though men presented a lower prevalence of feet scaling and use of inappropriate shoes when compared to women. With regard to lifestyle, men presented less healthy habits, such as not adhering to a proper diet and taking laboratory exams to check for lipid profile at the frequency recommended. Conclusion: the nursing team should take into account gender differences concerning foot self-care and lifestyle when implementing educational activities and interventions intended to decrease risk factors for foot ulceration.

Factors related to self-care activities of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

“…6,8,9,19 The data of this study confirmed a positive association between healthy eating and low income, a situation that is not consistent with the literature, which points to evidence that access to a healthy diet is directly related to socioeconomic conditions. 20 We also found an inverse but weak correlation of healthy eating with fasting blood glucose, suggesting that adopting an adequate diet may cooperate in metabolic control.…”

“…A recent study, conducted with 1,515 diabetics, showed that some type of food control was more prevalent among females. 19 In light of this evidence, it must be remembered that our sample consisted mostly of females, which may have influenced the high mean found in relation to this activity.…”

“…6,8,19 Recent data have shown that men present greater deficits compared to women with regard to prevention of diabetic foot. 19 Again, it should be stressed here that the present sample was predominantly female, a fact that may have contributed to the high mean, that is favorable behavior, related to foot care.…”

Diabetic Foot Care: Knowledge and Practice

“…This result seems to be in contrast with the available literature on foot care, where there is either no gender difference between both sexes [16] or males are usually reluctant to acknowledge their health problems and seek professional care [25,26].…”

Adesão Ao Tratamento Medicamentoso Do Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2: Diferenças De Gênero

“…Isso pode ser justificado pela maior expectativa de vida da mulher em relação ao homem, resultando que, no grupo de idosos, as mulheres com idades mais avançadas foram em maior número que os homens. 14,15 A maioria dos homens e mulheres entrevistados se autodeclarou branca. Uma evidência que justifica o resultado obtido é a distribuição da cor/raça da população do município de Ribeirão Preto, SP, em que 69,6% referiram ser da cor/raça branca e 30,4% não branca no último cen-so demográfico.…”