Clinical-surgical treatment of diabetic foot ulcers in a colombian hospital

Abstract

This study elucidates the clinical-surgical features of and treatments for patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Through an observational descriptive cross-sectional study, 44 clinical records of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus between 2012 and 2017 were analyzed. The sociodemographic features, risk factors, related pathologies, diagnostic methods, and infections were compared for patients who received amputation or debridement as treatment. Patients with previous amputations, Wagner grade 4 DFUs, and infections are more likely to amputation, while individuals with alcoholism, previous ulcers, and diabetic neuropathy are more likely to receive debridement as treatment. Patients older than 60 years, women, smokers, and alcoholics are more likely to develop either ischemia or infection. Plain radiography detected complications and pathologies such as soft tissue density increase, bone density decrease, and osteolytic and osteoarthritic injuries. The analysis of clinical records is a useful method for characterizing and identifying the main risk factors that affect a specific population. Accordingly, health professionals may use the information provided in this study to carry out appropriate systemic metabolic management, prevent unnecessary surgical interventions, and educate patients to adopt safe self-care practices. • Clinical records allow to identify risk factors affecting patients with diabetes. • Patients with Wagner grade 4 and infections are more likely to suffer an amputation. • Women, smokers and alcoholics are more likely to develop ischemia and infection. • Patients presented an increase of density in soft tissues. • Radiography images evidenced osteolytic lesions and osteoarthritic signs.