Early detection of PAD and neuropathy is essential to prevent diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). The study aimed to identify the inter reliability of diabetic foot check-up (Ipswich touch test [IpTT] and palpation of the dorsal pedis and posterior tibialis) between nurses and caregivers. An inter-operator observation study between nurses and caregivers was conducted to evaluate the reliability of diabetic foot check-up in eight public health centers in eastern Indonesia. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) with and without diabetic foot ulcer (DFU, n = 144) were included in this study. The nurse demonstrates IpTT and palpation of the dorsal pedis and posterior tibial artery, followed by the caregiver. The McNemar test confirmed no difference in IpTT between nurses and caregivers on the left foot at the first, third, and fifth finger (P > 0.05), similar to the right foot (P > 0.05). The sensitivity of palpation dorsal pedis was (47.3%-50%) and (50%-52%) for the left and right foot, respectively. The insights gained from this study may assist in implementing diabetic foot check-up as an early screening tool for risk DFU in the community setting.
Keywords: caregivers; diabetic foot; diabetic foot ulcers; diagnosis; ipswich touch test; lower extremity wound; peripheral neuropathy.