Introduction: Lower extremity conditions including peripheral artery disease, peripheral neuropathy, foot ulcer, and amputation are more common in diabetic patients, compared to non-diabetic cases. These conditions affect 30% of individuals, aged above 40 years. Foot ulcers are among the most common, serious, and costly complications associated with diabetes, causing a two- to four-fold increase in the risk of mortality; therefore, identification of risk factors can help prevent the irreparable side-effects. In the present study, we aimed to determine the foot condition in diabetic patients.

Methodology: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, foot condition was analyzed in 355 diabetic patients, referred to Razi Educational-Therapeutic Center in Rasht, Iran in 2013. The subjects were selected via convenience sampling and were evaluated by a trained nurse. Data were collected through interviews and a researcher-made questionnaire. For statistical analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics, Chi-square, and logistic regression analysis were calculated and performed, using SPSS version 16. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Based on the Chi-square test results, there was a significant relationship between foot ulcer and dry skin (without sweat) (P=0.01), fissure (P=0.004), impaired growth of toenails (P=0.02), blister (P=0.008), hammer toe (P=0.05), claw toe (P=0.001), Charcot arthropathy (P=0.02), superficial pain (induced by a pin), vibrational sense (induced by a tuning fork) (P=0.001), pulse of dorsalis pedis artery and right/left posterior tibia (P<0.001), ulcer scar (P=0.001), cause of hospitalization, and history of hospitalization due to foot problems (P=0.001). Based on the logistic regression analysis, variables associated with diabetic foot condition included blister, claw toe, and cause of hospitalization due to diabetes.

Conclusion: Since blister, claw toe, and cause of hospitalization seem to be associated with foot ulcer, nurses can play an important role in the prevention and timely treatment of foot ulcers through identifying the risk factors.