Research

A questionnaire for determining prevalence of diabetes related foot disease (Q-DFD): construction and validation

Shan M Bergin^1,2 , Caroline A Brand^3,4* , Peter G Colman^2* and Donald A Campbell^5*

¹  Monash Institute of Health Services Research, Monash University, Kanooka Gve Clayton, Melbourne, Australia

²  Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Gratten St, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia

³  Clinical Epidemiology and Health Service Evaluation Unit, The Royal Melbourne, Hospital, Gratten St, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia

⁴  Centre for Research Excellence in Patient Safety, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

⁵  Department of General Medicine, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia

author email corresponding author email* Contributed equally

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2009, 2:34doi:10.1186/1757-1146-2-34

Published:	25 November 2009

Abstract

Background

Community based prevalence for diabetes related foot disease (DRFD) has been poorly quantified in Australian populations. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a survey tool to facilitate collection of community based prevalence data for individuals with DRFD via telephone interview.

Methods

Agreed components of DRFD were identified through an electronic literature search. Expert feedback and feedback from a population based construction sample were sought on the initial draft. Survey reliability was tested using a cohort recruited through a general practice, a hospital outpatient clinic and an outpatient podiatry clinic. Level of agreement between survey findings and either medical record or clinical assessment was evaluated.

Results

The Questionnaire for Diabetes Related Foot Disease (Q-DFD) comprised 12 questions aimed at determining presence of peripheral sensory neuropathy (PN) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD), based on self report of symptoms and/or clinical history, and self report of foot ulceration, amputation and foot deformity. Survey results for 38 from 46 participants demonstrated agreement with either clinical assessment or medical record (kappa 0.65, sensitivity 89.0%, and specificity 77.8%). Correlation for individual survey components was moderate to excellent. Inter and intrarater reliability and test re-test reliability was moderate to high for all survey domains.

Conclusion

The development of the Q-DFD provides an opportunity for ongoing collection of prevalence estimates for DRFD across Australia.