DIABETES mellitus is the fifth leading cause of death in The Bahamas, according to Health Minister Dr Duane Sands …The Bahamas Podiatric Medical Association underscored the devastating impact of diabetes on feet during a conference at the University of the Bahamas yesterday …“Foot complications are the source of major patient suffering, high emotion and financial costs to the individual and health care system,” Dr Sands told the conference …“We have seen the prevalence of diabetes increase from 6.7% to 9.2% in 2005 now to epidemic proportions of 13.6% in 2017. 37.9 deaths per 100,000 persons are due to diabetes …Dr Sands continued: “Foot ulcers are the most prevalent problem, with a yearly incidence of around 2 – 4% and a lifetime incidence between 15 and 25%. The most important factors underlying the development of foot ulcers are peripheral sensory neuropathy, foot deformities related to motor neuropathy, minor foot trauma, and peripheral artery disease … “Once the skin is ulcerated, it is susceptible to becoming infected, an urgent medical problem that can result in amputation or even death … read more