Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) remain a major complication of diabetes, with high recurrence risk and substantial impact on patients’ well-being. A survey of 9,913 adults with diabetes in Northern Denmark, including 6,962 with complete data, examined foot care habits, quality of life, and psychological health. These findings were presented at the 2025 European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting.

Participants with a history of DFU were more often male (68% vs. 60%), had longer diabetes duration (15 vs. 10 years), and a higher prevalence of peripheral neuropathy (60% vs. 20%). Foot care habits were generally better in individuals with previous DFUs (NAFF score: 54 vs. 50), with improvements in 16 of 29 categories. Persistent deficits remained in footwear choices.

Those with prior DFUs reported significantly lower overall quality of life (59 vs. 78) and higher levels of anxiety (5 vs. 3) and depression (3 vs. 2) compared to individuals without DFU history.

These findings emphasize the psychological and behavioral burden of DFU and highlight the need for comprehensive strategies that include mental health support and targeted interventions to optimize foot care practices.