DOI: 10.36347/sasjs.2021.v07i03.004

Pages: 124-129

Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is the most costly and devastating complication of diabetes mellitus, which affect 15% of diabetic patients during their lifetime. Early and effective management of DFU can reduce the severity of complications such as preventable amputations and possible mortality, and also can improve overall quality of life. Aim of study: To study the clinical, biochemical and radiological factors affecting outcomes of diabetic foot ulcer. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted between august, 2019 and July, 2020. All diagnosed cases of diabetic foot ulcer attending OPD or admitted in the Department of General Surgery were included in this study. These cases were followed through the entire course from diagnosis to outcomes. All the clinical, biochemical and radiological findings were recorded and evaluated statistically. Results: A total of 60 patients were admitted with diagnosis of diabetic foot ulcer during this duration. Thirty two percent of patients admitted were between 61 - 70 years old. Male to female ratio was 10:3. Toe gangrene (29 %) followed by infected ulcer (25 %) was the most common clinical presentation. History of trauma was present in 42 % of patients. Twenty eight percent of patients had diabetes for 6-10 years. Most common etiological factor was neuro-ischemic i.e 18/60 patients. Smoking (46 %) followed by trauma (40 %) were the commonest risk factors. Staph aureus was the infecting organism in 16 cases. Peripheral vascular disease was present in 51 % of the cases. Out of which 28 cases were male and 2 were female. Conclusion: Incidence of diabetic foot ulcer increases with age. Ulceration, infection and gangrene are the commonest presentation. Prevention of smoking and foot care program with multidisciplinary team can prevent DFU and its complications.