We conducted a secondary data analysis to evaluate the association between annual foot exams and incident lower extremity amputations (LEA) among older veterans with diabetes during FY2007-FY2014. Older Veterans with at least one primary care provider visit each year (N = 664,162) and at least one foot exam each year (N = 72,892) and the overlap were identified from the 5 years prior to the study period of interest (FY2002-FY2006 (N = 71,122)). After excluding incident LEA related to cancer and trauma, 71,018 veterans (mean age +/- SD, % male) were included in the final cohort, which was followed from FY2007-FY2014 to evaluate the influence of subsequent annual foot exams and incident LEA. Consistent annual foot exams were protective for incident LEA in older veterans with diabetes, adjusted OR was 0.85 (97% CI: 0.74-0.96). Results indicate that adherence to annual foot exam guidelines can reduce incident LEA in older veterans with diabetes.
Keywords: Foot exam; aged; amputation; diabetes; diabetic foot; incidence; veterans.