Study: Over 60% of Physicians Unaware of Charcot Neuroarthopathy

A majority of physicians have minimal or no knowledge of charcot neuroarthopathy, according to a recent survey.

Charcot neuroarthopathy (CN) is a rare foot and ankle condition that leads to deformity, poor quality of life, and increased morbidity and mortality, and is usually a complication of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The prevalence of CN is currently unknown and is reportedly misdiagnosed in up to 95% of cases.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RELATED CONTENT
ADA: Screening and Prevention of Diabetic Neuropathies 
Could Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Benefit Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Researchers sought evaluate general the knowledge of CN in clinicians who are not foot specialists through a 14-item survey sent to 789 faculty members at University Health System in San Antonio, Texas.

Four hundred participants responded: 56.9% worked in internal medicine, 17.2% worked in family medicine, 12.1% were endocrinologists, 5.9% were rheumatologists, and 6.9% were categorized as “other.”

Of the 400 responders, 67.6% reported poor or complete lack of knowledge of CN, while only 6.9% reported having excellent knowledge.

In addition, researchers found that clinicians who reported better knowledge of CN were more likely to provide the appropriate initial management for the disorder.

“Our study highlights the importance of education and demonstrates the need for more educational and awareness programs for referring providers about CN as well as more efficient referral processes,” the researchers concluded.

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Schmidt BM, Wrobel JA, and Holmes CM. Physician knowledge of a rare foot condition – influence of diabetic patient population on self-described knowledge and treatment [published online February 8, 2017]. Clin Diabetes Endocrinol. doi:10.1186/s40842-017-0041-4.