Risk factors for at-risk foot and peripheral artery disease among the population with diabetes: A multicommunity-based cross-sectional study

Aims This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and influence factors of the at-risk foot with diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods This study included 3030 DM patients from the at-risk foot screening program of Shanghai in China between March 21 and April 30 in 2021. Data were collected from the questionnaire survey, physical examination, and fasting blood sample. Results The prevalence of at-risk foot was 27.8% among DM patients. After adjusted, the risk of higher at-risk grade increased with age and urinary albumin creatinine ratio (OR = 1.04, 95%CI = 1.02–1.06; OR = 1.001, 95%CI = 1.000–1.002, respectively), whereas decreased with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (OR = 0.991, 95%CI = 0.984–0.998). The incidence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) was 11.1% in all people with DM, and age, pulse rate, and low-density lipoprotein were independent risk factors for PAD. In contrast, high-density lipoprotein, eGFR, and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio were independent protective factors for PAD. Glycated hemoglobin HbA1c was not an independent risk factor for increased risk grade or more severe PAD. Conclusions The at-risk foot accounted for a high percentage among DM patients. Advanced age and renal dysfunction are independent risk factors for the at-risk foot. Glycemic control does not reduce the risk grade of at-risk foot and the incidence of PAD.