Prática do autocuidado com os pés na prevenção das complicações neurológicas periféricas das pessoas com Diabetes Mellitus.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has become a serious public health problem due to its prevalence and the chronic nature of the disease and its complications. Diabetic neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes and comprises a set of clinical syndromes that affect the peripheral sensory, motor and autonomic nervous system. Education for self-care is considered indispensable during the follow-up of people with diabetes. Prevention by frequent examination of the feet of people with DM performed by the primary care physician or nurse is of vital importance for the reduction of complications. OBJECTIVE: To discover the existence of neuropathies and the practice of self-care with the feet in the prevention of peripheral neurological complications in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODOLOGY: Descriptive exploratory study with 77 people with T2DM, registered and attended to in 02 Basic Health Units of the zone The municipality of Cuité. Respecting the recommendations of the research with humans, the data collection began after receiving approval by the CEP with opinion No. 1,919,647, performing the collection in the months of April and May of 2017. RESULTS: The socio-clinical results declared by the sample prevailed the sex Female, age group with mean age of 64 years, total number of years studied with average of 3 years, with the majority of individuals living with the spouse. Diagnostic time was mostly given to those with diabetes less than 5 years old, requiring a consultation every six months, greater use of oral hypoglycemic agents, 67.5% with arterial hypertension. Regarding the practice of self-care with the feet, it was verified that the majority dry between the fingers. Regarding the shoes, they informed to examine them before use. Regarding foot evaluation, the majority did not present loss of tactile and vibratory sensitivity. 70.1% reported not receiving the guidelines given by health professional in relation to foot care. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The study points to a contribution to nursing, using the importance of intensification of health education actions aimed at prevention, control and tracking of DM complications, which must be integrated, humanized, always respecting socioeconomic factors, Beliefs and knowledge of each individual or group. Despite the low level of schooling and little information provided by health professionals, the results on self-care with the feet were confirmed by the Semmes-Weinsten monofilament tests, 128Hz tuning fork, and Achilles tendon reflex, where the majority did not present Risk for peripheral neurological complications (peripheral neuropathy), which is an adherent result to the control of the health / disease process. Health education should provide information on lifestyle change, adopt adequate and healthy food, practice physical exercise, glycemic control, stimulate self-care with the feet, adoption of treatment and coping with problems. It is important that health policies ensure the promotion of health in the age groups most at risk of becoming ill, without losing sight of the other cycles of life.