Health literacy and diabetic foot ulcer healing |
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| Authors: | David J. Margolis MD PhD Michelle Hampton BA Ole Hoffstad MS D. Scot Malay DPM MSCE Stephen Thom MD PhD |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;2. Presbyterian Medical Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;3. Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland |
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| Abstract: | The adherence by patients to diabetic foot ulcer therapy is often difficult. The goal of this study was to begin to understand how a patient's health literacy affects their foot ulcer management decisions. Initially using a cross‐sectional study design, we evaluated diabetics with foot ulcers within 4 weeks of being asked to participate in a longitudinal study. We assessed health literacy using measures of general health literacy, diabetes health literacy, diabetes self‐efficacy, and diabetes numeracy. Individuals enrolled in the study had higher health literacy based on the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults [33.8 (SD 2.3) versus 27.3 (SD 9.6); p = 0.009] as compared to individuals who previously declined an invitation to enroll in the study. Furthermore, patients with lower Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults scores had larger (p = 0.04) and older (p = 0.125) wounds (markers for poorer prognosis). Other measures of literacy showed similar results. In conclusion, those with diminished health literacy were less likely to enroll in an investigational study and had wounds that were less likely to heal. |
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