Dramatic improvement in quality of life for John thanks to diabetes research

John Mackenzie, 64, who lives in Leicester, is one of the 4.4 million people in the UK who live with type 2 diabetes. 

John has diabetes-related foot ulcers that affect his health and weight. People with diabetes can develop damage to their peripheral nerves responsible for transmitting sensations, such as pain and touch. This may cause people with diabetes not to feel a sharp object in their shoe that can puncture the skin and cause a foot ulcer.

John explains: “About 5 years ago I started with pains in my feet, and it has slowly progressed to become extremely sensitive. At times there is no feeling in my feet at all, which has resulted in difficulties in walking and finding comfortable shoes.

“About a year ago I was taking my dog for a walk and when I got back, I found a very large blister on the bottom of my foot which turned out to be an ulcer. This took a long time to heal and has been a concern since then.”

In January, John joined the MiFoot research study at the Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC), which is evaluating a new programme designed to improve heart health in people with diabetes and diabetes-related foot ulcers. The study is sponsored by the University of Leicester and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

People with type 2 diabetes and a diabetes-related foot ulcer are at higher risk for heart problems. This could be due to difficulty being physically active, managing their condition, and increased anxiety or depression. Healthcare for these individuals often focuses on treating foot ulcers rather than preventing long-term heart issues. 

The MiFoot programme aims to help people to better manage their condition, receive the most up-to-date care and be more physically active. It includes group-based education and exercise sessions, one-to-one sessions with a healthcare professional and access to an online platform designed to support patients to live a healthy lifestyle.

John has already seen benefits from taking part in the study. He explains: “I have found it very helpful in giving me a much better understanding of diabetes. Also, what I can do to improve my life and what I cannot change. 

“The staff were excellent and very helpful. I have implemented some of the advice I was given into my daily life and have noticed a dramatic improvement in my quality of life.” 

Chief Investigator for the MiFoot study, Professor Kamlesh Khunti, Co-Director of LDC and Professor of Primary Care, Diabetes and Vascular Medicine, explains: “We want to see whether the MiFoot programme can improve the health of people with current or previous diabetes-related foot ulcers, and if it is good value for money.

“We are grateful to volunteers, like John, who have joined the study. It is great to hear about the positive impact the study has had on John’s day-to-day life. We are still looking for more volunteers to take part in the study so we can ensure the MiFoot programme works for everyone.” 

If you have type 2 diabetes and a current or previous (within the last 5 years) diabetes-related foot ulcer and are aged between 18-100 years old, you may be eligible to take part.

This is the second research study John has taken part in. When asked why he decided to participate in research, John said: “I believe that it's a way to try and help others and myself.”

If you are interested in finding out more information about the study, please contact the research team by calling 0116 258 4732 or emailing: mifoot@uhl-tr.nhs.uk.