English

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The most frequent reason for hospitalization for patients with diabetes is foot complications, which accounts for up to 25% of all diabetic admissions. The clinical triad most commonly seen in diabetic foot ulcer is peripheral sensory neuropathy, trauma and deformity. Approximately 15% to 20 % of the population in US is hospitalized with complications at some-time during course of their disease. Diabetic foot infections are defines as any inframalleolar infection in a person with diabetes mellitus. Diabetic patients may develop many types of foot ulcers, any of which can get infected. Infection should be diagnosed clinically on the basis of cardinal manifestations. Selection of antibiotic regimen initially involves decision about route of therapy, spectrum of microorganisms to be covered, and the specific drugs to administer and later involves choosing the definitive regimen and the duration of treatment. OBJECTIVE: 1. Early detection of risk factors for ulceration by specific history and systematic examination of the foot. 2. To study the microbial agents of wound infection in the diabetic foot infections. 3. To classify the ulcers, which facilitates in logical approach to treatment and in predicting outcome? 4. To formulate the management by multidisciplinary approach. 5. To describe the surgical treatment and wound care of diabetic foot ulcers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the patients (Both out-patient basis and hospitalized patients) with diabetic foot ulcers of more than two weeks duration at Dr. B R Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital from November 2012 to February 2014 are counseled for investigation and treatment of diabetic foot ulcer and its complications. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: 1. The incidence of diabetic foot was seen highest in 51 to 60 years. 2. Male to female ratio was 4:1. 3. By occupation, most patients were farmers (44%). 4. Diabetic foot most commonly seen in patients with duration of diabetes more than 5 years. 5. Most common mode of presentation is non-healing ulcer followed by foot abscess. 6. Duration of hospital stay was between 15 days to 45 days with average of around 30 days.