Foot amputations among people with diabetes could be reduced by as much as 50% if simple interventions were introduced, a new study has found.

An estimated 191,000 people in Ireland have diabetes and one in six of these will develop a foot ulcer in their lifetime. It is already known that if an ulcerated foot becomes infected or if the blood supply becomes seriously impaired, amputation may be necessary.

Figures from the HSE show that in 2010 and 2011, there were almost 800 diabetes-related lower limb amputations In Ireland, a 20% increase on the previous two-year period.

According to Swedish scientists, every 30 seconds, someone in the world undergoes an amputation because of diabetes-related foot complications.

They have been studying this area since 2008, focusing on how to protect the foot from overloading the sole. This minimises the risk of ulcers and therefore amputations.

The team from the University of Gothenburg has now completed a study involving 114 people with diabetes who were at risk of developing ulcers of the feet. The average age of the participants was 58 and it has been around 12 years since they were diagnosed with diabetes.

The scientists found that shoe inserts, podiatry services, information and regular checkups can prevent ulcers. In fact, they say that the use of these simple interventions could lead to a reduction in the number of amputations by at least 50%.

"We found that good shoes and inserts can reduce pressure on the foot by 50% compared with going barefoot. Our conclusion at the end of one year is that inserts effectively distribute pressure under the sole in order to minimise the risk of ulcers," they explained.

They pointed out that financially, the cost of a shoe insert is minimal, compared to the cost of an amputation.

"Ulcer prevention is not only a way of relieving suffering but a sound financial investment," they added.

Details of these findings are to be presented at the International Conference on Prosthetics and Orthotics in India next month.