Clinical Profile and Outcome of Diabetic Foot Ulcer in Teritary Care Hospital

Background: The goal of this study was to estimate the disease burden of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) admissions in a tertiary care hospital in a developing country in terms of clinical profile and outcome.

Method: In this descriptive study, the data were collected from the medical record of diabetic patients with foot ulcer who were treated in Saveetha medical college and hospital between the period of February to November 2020. The demographic characteristic, type of foot lesion, etiology, isolated microorganism, treatment, and outcome were reviewed.

Results: There were 180 admissions with diabetic foot problems involving 100 patients. All of the patients had type 2 diabetes, and there was no gender bias. The average age was 50, and diabetes control was poor. The majority of patients had no knowledge what had caused their symptoms. In 56 % of cases, ulcers were neuropathic, 25% were neuro ischemic, and a smaller fraction were pure ischemia. More than 70% of ulcers were Wagner grade 3 or higher, with infection occurring in nearly every patient. Gram-negative bacteria were the most prevalent isolates from culture. A total of 30 lower extremity amputations (LEAs) were performed at various levels of the foot.

Conclusion: Diabetic foot problems are a source of morbidity, a reason for LEA surgery, and a cause of death in people who have diabetes mellitus.