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D J Fernando

Publications and source records attributed to D J Fernando.

43 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Risk factors for non-ischaemic foot ulceration in diabetic nephropathy.

It is recognized that diabetic patients with nephropathy frequently have macrovascular disease leaving them at risk of ischaemic foot lesions. In order to assess non-vascular risk factors for foot ulceration 64 patients were stratified into four groups: microalbuminuria, albuminuria with creatinine clearance greater than 40 ml min-1, chronic renal failure (clearance less than 40 ml min-1), and a non-nephropathic diabetic control group. Vibration perception threshold was measured by biothesiometry, peroneal nerve conduction velocity by conventional methods, and dynamic foot pressure by pedobarography. Vibration perception threshold was elevated in all three groups when compared with age-matched normal and diabetic control groups. Mean vibration perception threshold was 20.8 +/- 8.6 (+/- SD) in the microalbuminuria group (p less than 0.001 compared with age-matched normal control group), 28.1 +/- 5.6 (p less than 0.001) in the albuminuria group, 38.9 +/- 9.4 (p less than 0.001) in the renal failure group, 14.8 +/- 5.2 in the diabetic control group and 12.3 +/- 2.9 in the normal control group. Peroneal motor conduction velocity was reduced in all three groups when compared with normal control subjects, microalbuminuria 38.6 +/- 4.2 m s-1 (p less than 0.001), albuminuria 38.0 +/- 6.1 m s-1 (p less than 0.01), renal failure 35.5 +/- 1.2 m s-1 (p less than 0.001), diabetic control 40.6 +/- 1.8 m s-1, and normal 43.1 +/- 2.3 m s-1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Relationship of limited joint mobility to abnormal foot pressures and diabetic foot ulceration.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of limited joint mobility (LJM) in causing abnormal foot pressures and foot ulceration. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The subjects were recruited from a general diabetes clinic where patients were screened for neuropathy, retinopathy, and elevated plantar foot pressure. Sixty-four patients in five groups were matched by age and sex in the following groups: group 1, patients with LJM and neuropathy; group 2, nonneuropathic diabetic patients with LJM; group 3, patients with neuropathy and no LJM; group 4, diabetic control subjects; and group 5, nondiabetic control subjects. Joint mobility was assessed in the foot at subtalar and metatarsophalangeal joints; plantar foot pressures were assessed by optical pedobarography and neuropathic status by a Biothesiometer and electrophysiology. RESULTS: Joint mobility was reduced at both sites in groups 1 and 2 compared with groups 3, 4, and 5 (P less than 0.001). Plantar foot pressures were significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 compared with groups 3, 4, and 5 (P less than 0.001). No differences in plantar foot pressures were observed between groups 1 and 2. There were strong correlations between plantar foot pressures and joint mobility in the foot (r = -0.7, P less than 0.001). Previous foot ulceration was present in 65% of patients in group 1, none in group 2, and 5% in group 3. CONCLUSIONS: 1) LJM may be a major factor in causing abnormally high plantar foot pressures, 2) abnormal plantar foot pressures alone do not lead to foot ulceration, and 3) LJM contributes to foot ulceration in the susceptible neuropathic foot.

Ankle Joint↗

Studies of experimental hosiery in diabetic neuropathic patients with high foot pressures.

High plantar pressures and painless trauma are associated with the development of foot ulcers in diabetic patients. Padded hosiery has been reported to reduce plantar pressures in patients at risk of ulceration. Using the optical pedobarograph we have studied 10 patients who regularly wore experimental padded hosiery for 6 months. The hosiery continued to provide substantial and significant reduction in peak forefoot pressures at 3 months (mean reduction 15.5%, p less than 0.01) and 6 months (17.6%, p less than 0.01), although the level of reduction was less than that seen at baseline (31.3%, p less than 0.05). In addition, commercially available hosiery designed as sportswear has been tested, and compared with experimental hosiery. Although these socks (with high or medium density padding) provided significant pressure reduction versus barefoot (mean 17.4% and 10.4%, p less than 0.01), this was not as great as that seen with experimental hosiery (27%, p less than 0.05). Thus the use of socks designed to reduce pressure stress on diabetic neuropathic feet is effective, and continues to be so for a considerable period of time. Commercially available sports socks may also have a place in the management of the diabetic insensitive foot.

Clothing↗

Use of experimental padded hosiery to reduce abnormal foot pressures in diabetic neuropathy.

High pressures under the feet of diabetic patients with neuropathy are associated with the development of plantar ulceration. The aim of management is the reduction of such stresses with orthoses and insoles. An American hosiery manufacturer has developed socks designed to reduce stress on athletes' feet, and we report a preliminary evaluation of this technique in the reduction of elevated plantar pressure in 27 neuropathic diabetic patients. With a computerized optical pedobarograph, three footsteps on each side were recorded under three conditions: 1) barefoot, 2) wearing the patients' own hosiery, and 3) wearing experimental patented padded hosiery. The patients' own hosiery did not have a significant effect on plantar pressure, but the experimental hosiery reduced both peak forefoot pressure and the area under the time-pressure curve (P less than .001) by a mean of 26 and 29%, respectively. We conclude that the experimental hosiery is effective in reducing vertical pressures under the diabetic foot and, in conjunction with established orthotic techniques, may be a useful addition to the treatment of the diabetic patient at risk for foot ulceration.

Clothing↗

Benign obstruction of subclavian and axillary veins possibly due to filariasis.

This paper analyses the clinical features of 8 patients with post-thrombotic obstruction of the subclavian and axillary veins demonstrated by phlebography. The classic physical signs of swelling of the arm with dilated superficial collateral veins were seen. The causes of thrombotic obstruction are discussed and the precipitating cause in this study was possibly filariasis.

Adult↗