https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/54331 2026-04-17T03:35:27Z 2026-04-17T03:35:27Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/54688 2020-11-15T07:02:24Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The relationship between the level of diabetes-related knowledge and the prevalence of foot ulceration in patients living with type-2 diabetes mellitus in Malta. Abstract: AIM The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between the level of diabetes-related knowledge and the prevalence of foot ulceration in patients living with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Malta. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD A single-centre matched case-control study was conducted at the Diabetes and Endocrine Centre, Mater Dei Hospital Malta from July 2009 to December 2009. Thirty patients living with Type-2 diabetes were selected from the out-patient clinic. The sample comprised fifteen participants living with foot ulceration and fifteen participants without foot ulceration. Patients were matched for: age, gender, educational level achieved by patient, duration of Diabetes Mellitus, current medication and weight. A 24-item questionnaire (DKQ-24) was administered to them to assess knowledge about the disease state, diagnostic tests, complications and management of diabetes. Medical data such as HBA 1 c was sought from the records held at Mater Dei Hospital. RESULTS The study found no significant difference (P = 0.671) between the level of diabetes-related knowledge and prevalence of foot ulceration amongst this study group. However, a difference in the mean HBA1c level, duration of Type-2 diabetes and age was identified between groups. CONCLUSION No significant difference was found between the level of knowledge in people living with Type-2 diabetes and the prevalence of foot ulceration. The study however identified a mean difference between the two groups in the mean HBA 1 c level, duration of Type-2 diabetes and age. This finding suggests that there could be other factors apart from knowledge which might be responsible for foot ulceration. The findings have also revealed a knowledge deficit in a number of key areas in the management of diabetes. Repeating this research using high methodological quality in different study settings such a private clinics and private hospitals where populations may differ from the one studied here, may yield further information on the effectiveness of diabetes-related knowledge in the prevalence of foot ulceration in patients living with Type-2 diabetes in Malta. Description: B.SC.(HONS)PODIATRY

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/54644 2020-11-13T17:24:08Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: An explanatory study of onychomycosis in the Maltese population. Abstract: Aim The purpose of this study was to examine the current method of diagnosis used by Maltese podiatrists (visual diagnosis). The accuracy of such diagnosis was compared to results obtained with laboratory diagnosis (KOH with microcopy and culture growth). The study also helped to identify and analyze the micro organisms found in fungal cultures of clinically suspected onychomycosis in the Maltese population. Research Design and Methods An exploratory same subject design study was carried out on Maltese patients who attend the podiatry clinic at the various Health Centers in Malta. The data collection took place between December 2009 and February 2010. Four podiatrists with a minimum ten year experience were selected using a non-probability convenient type of sampling. Each of the four chosen podiatrists identified ten newly diagnosed subjects suffering from onychomycosis. A data collection sheet regarding the subjects' demographic data, health and nail dystrophy was used by the researcher to obtain more information. Using the Mater Dei Mycology laboratory sampling protocol (Appendix X), the researcher took a nail sample from each subject, and later sent it to the Mater Dei Mycology laboratory. Each sample was subjected to microscopy with KOH solution and culture growth. Results The findings demonstrated a significant difference (z = 6.989) between the two diagnostic tests. Out of the forty nail samples, 37.5% (15 nail samples) had a positive KOH and culture growth, 55.5% ( 22 nail samples) had a negative KOH and no culture growth, 5% ( 3 nail samples) had a negative KOH and a culture growth whilst no samples had a positive KOH and a negative culture growth. The results show that although 100% of the nail samples were visually diagnosed as being mycotic, only 45 % of the samples were confirmed in the laboratory as being mycotic. The results showed that onychomycosis is more frequent in females (72%) then in males and that it is commonly found in patients aged between 71 and 85 years of age. Conclusion The current method of diagnosing onychomycosis in Malta was found to yield a high percentage (55%) of false-positives. A more accurate method of diagnosis should be considered. Moreover due to common presence of Aspergillus micro organisms found in the sample group, extreme care should be taken when handling suspected onyhcomycotic nails. Description: B.SC.(HONS)PODIATRY

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/54585 2020-11-15T07:02:03Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The influence of structural leg length discrepancy on plantar pressure patterns. Abstract: Aim The aim of the study was to find out whether plantar pressure mapping can be used as a diagnostic tool for mild structural leg length discrepancy by investigating the difference in plantar pressure patterns in structural leg length discrepancy. The plantar pressure patterns of the Experimental group (subjects with at least 10 mm of structural leg length discrepancy) were compared with those of the Control group in order to find out whether a significant difference in plantar pressure (kg/cm2 ) and pressure-time integral (kg*sec) was indeed present. Methods Ten subjects with a structural leg length discrepancy of at least 10 mm (the Experimental group) and ten subjects without a significant leg length discrepancy( the Control group) were recruited from podiatry clinics from health centres (in the government sector) around Malta. A significant structural leg length discrepancy (or lack of it) was confirmed by carrying out three different measuring techniques. Each subject in the Experimental group was matched with a subject in the Control group by BMI and age. Plantar pressure data was collected as the subjects walked across the Tekscan High resolution pressure mat (South Boston, MA). Peak pressure (kg/cm2 ) and pressure-time integral (kg* sec) values were derived for five foot regions, namely: the hallux, medial forefoot, lateral forefoot, midfoot and heel as well as for the whole foot. Mean pressure values were also calculated for the whole foot. Results The results showed that there was a significant difference between the peak plantar pressure of the short and long leg, when the foot was divided into regions for all studied groups. No significant difference was present when the test was carried out on the foot as a whole entity of the experimental group (p-value = 0.015) and the midfoot region of the control (p-value = 0.042). It was also found that the midfoot region in the experimental group held no significant difference in pressure-time integral values with a p-value of 0.035. Likewise, significant differences were found in plantar peak pressures and pressure-time integrals between the experimental group and the control group in all the regions of the foot and the whole foot. The highest peak pressure values were: the hallux and the lateral forefoot in the experimental group; the medial forefoot, lateral forefoot and heel in the control group. In all subjects (n=20),the region with the highest peak pressure was the lateral forefoot. The midfoot exerted the least peak pressure. In the case of pressure-time integrals, the highest pressure-time integrals were observed in the heel, lateral forefoot and medial forefoot. Conclusion From this study it can be deduced that structural leg length discrepancy, despite being very mild has a great influence on the plantar pressure pattern distributions. From the results it can also be concluded that plantar pressure mapping can be held as an appropriate and reliable diagnostic test for structural leg length discrepancy, especially when used in conjunction with other measuring techniques. Description: B.SC.(HONS)PODIATRY

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/54583 2020-11-15T07:02:20Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A study evaluating the differences in health status between people living with type-2 diabetes mellitus and normal healthy subjects in Malta. Abstract: Aim: Type- 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a common disease in the Maltese population, with nearly 10% of the population already diagnosed with this condition (A Strategy for the prevention of Non Communicable Diseases in Malta, 2009). The aim of this study was to evaluate the difference, if any, in the health status between individuals living with Type- 2 Diabetes Mellitus and normal Healthy Individuals in Malta. Research Design and Method: This quantitative study consisted of a non- experimental, study design compromising 50 Maltese subjects, of which 25 had been living with Type- 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and 25 healthy individuals. Subjects were recruited from Health Centres in Malta. The SF36 v2 was used to collect the relevant data. Results: Results obtained from this study, indicate no significant difference in the health status amongst Maltese subjects living with Type- 2 Diabetes Mellitus and normal Healthy Maltese individuals. However, a difference was observed in most parameters; physical functioning, vitality, role physical, social functioning, of the questionnaire when the mean values where compared. Thus indicating that although no significance in the p-values was observed, except in the physical functioning dimension, this study is similar, when certain parameters are evaluated with other studies conducted abroad. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate, that an action plan would be of benefit if put into practice, where health status of people living with Type- 2 Diabetes Mellitus is assessed, and if this is found to be affected, counselling sessions and support should be provided to these individuals (Di Loreto et al., 2002), in order to help them improve their health status and thus their quality of life. Description: B.SC.(HONS)PODIATRY

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z