The Diabetic Foot Worldwide

Unlike the situation in developed countries where data on the prevalence of amputation can be obtained relatively easily and accurately, the situation in developing countries is less clear due to lack of reliable registries. In fact, there is a very low contribution of the Arab world in research related to diabetic foot disease. The Arabs, whether Muslims or Christians, share many common cultural values and beliefs such as fatalism. Due to hot climate, and readiness for prayer, the common footwear is slippers or sandals. These have a ridge that fits between the first and the second toe, eliciting a high mechanical pressure on the plantar surface of the foot leading to a callus and ultimately a neuropathic foot ulcer. In essence, in the Middle East, peculiarities in the environmental, cultural and socioeconomic factors have a deleterious impact on foot health and care. Fortunately, these barriers are reversible by education and structured care.