Barefoot and In-Shoe Plantar Pressure in a Portuguese Sample of Diabetic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is considered a metabolic chronic disease and global epidemic incidence in all age groups. One of the most common and severe complications of DM is diabetic foot ulceration (DFU), resulting in a high number of prolonged hospitalizations and limb amputations. Plantar pressure is considered an important predictor of the DFU development, along with contralateral temperature, shear forces, humidity and skin resistance. Objective: Characterization of barefoot and in-shoe plantar pressure in a sample of diabetic patients. Method: Observational cross-sectional quantitative study with 58 participants, aged between 28 and 84 years, diagnosed with DM. Relevant demographic and clinical data, as well as plantar pressure values were collected. Results: The mean values of barefoot (EMED) and in-shoe (PEDAR) plantar pressure evaluation showed increased values, with the majority of the sample having values above the proposed thresholds. Conclusion: In general, high plantar pressure values were identified, drawing attention to the need of prevention policies and the follow-up of this patients in primary health care. New solutions might also include the development of innovative footwear, innovative footwear that aims to reduce plantar pressure in critical regions of the foot, but also than enables the monitoring of plantar pressure values.