Safety shoes and Diabetes foot problems
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Are diabetic Safety shoe wearers at more risk of developing foot complications due to their footwear and if so is there a specific pattern which emerges?
IRAS ID
233868
Contact name
Anne-Marie Boylan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 30 days
Research summary
Foot problems are a major issue in the workplace for people with diabetes and are costly to the NHS. Occupational Health and Safety Administration has increased the levels of personal protection equipment - current guidelines support the use of standard steel-toe boot or shoe, called ‘safety shoes’. But this footwear can cause pain and other problems for people who wear them for work. Safety shoes can have a particularly significant impact on people with diabetes who are likely to experience complications through wearing safety shoes and who must maintain their job whilst being required to follow safety protocol and guidelines. This project will look at people who wear safety shoes and who work in different types of industries, specifically, transport, catering and construction. The study will aim to see if the risk levels for foot problems are higher for these groups compared to those people who do not wear safety shoes. The study will also aim to look at the foot problem patterns i.e. callus/corns/ulcers/nail problems in this cohort. This will help determine better approaches to treatment. This study will provide baseline information for the development of specific leaflets, education programmes for patients and their employees regarding diabetes and foot problems in future studies. Wrong footwear, especially in diabetic patients, is one of the causes of minor/major amputations in this group of people. This project will help to advise on specific safety procedures and gait analysis which will help reduce pressure areas and potentially reduce foot problems for future studies.
REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
18/WA/0386
Date of REC Opinion
9 Nov 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion