The evaluation of plantar pressure distribution in type II diabetic patients and non-diabetic adults in China

Abstract

Plantar pressures in TypeIIdiabetic patients and control adults during normal walking were compared in this study. A total of 70 (45♀+25♂) type 2 diabetic patients without neuropathy (aged 63.6±7.6 years; BMI 24.3±2.9; duration of diabetes 12.3±6.9 years) and 70 (45♀+25♂) non-diabetic adults (aged 62.5±8.6 years; BMI 22.4±2.5) in China were recruited. Plantar pressures were collected by EMED system (Novel, Germany). All participants were required to walk barefoot at a self-selected speed, the parameters of peak pressure and contact areas were collected. During analysis ten plantar regions were identified: hind foot, midfoot, the first (MH1), second (MH2), third (MH3), fourth (MH4), fifth (MH5) metatarsals, big toe, second toe and toes 345. Only data from the right foot was analyzed, independent samples t-tests were used to compare dynamic variables between two groups. Results: No significant differences of peak pressures were found between male and female. Except for midfoot, second toe and toe 345 regions, no significant differences of peak pressures were found in other seven regions between two groups. Pearson correlations were performed between BMI and peak pressures for the foot across both groups. No correlation was found between BMI and peak pressure.