Purpose: The purpose of this abstract is to evaluate the foot health of the diabetic community my hospital serves and to decide if continued foot screenings are indicated in my service area.

Methodology/Statistic analysis: The data is collected from aggregate annual Carville exams from February 2000 through August 2006. The results from healthy community dwelling diabetic patients has been evaluated and reported in percentage of the population screened. The total number of participants screened is 474. Areas reported follow the Carville exam-loss of sensation and severity; loss of sensation and severity; callusing; adequate footwear; and also collected were incidental findings as these patients were referred for their incidental findings.

Results: Of the 474 patients 29% or 140 had some loss of sensation. Those with loss of sensation were broken down as those classified as Category 1-65%; Category 2-22%; and Category 3-12%. Impaired sensation, defined as ABI less than 0.5 was 4% of participants. Additionally those who were less than 0.8, indicating arterial impairment, were evaluated and accounted for 16% of total participants. Appropriate footwear scored well at 80% but callusing was present in 38% of the diabetics screened. Incidental findings were identified in 22% of participants-including wounds 13%, maceration 3%, and rashes 6%.

Conclusion: The large number of participants should show an effective view of our community. Based upon the high percentage (29%) that had loss of sensation and the number with inadequate circulation (16%), the Carville exams will be recommended to be continued as an early intervention community screening tool. The 22% finding of an active problem in the participants warrants this program to continue.