MANAGEMENT OF DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS AND RELATED COMPLICATIONS: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction Foot ulceration and its complications are one of the major complications attributing to the hospital admission, with overall prevalence of about 4 -10% and even higher in geriatric population (5-10%).With the lifetime risk of 15%,it contributes as a major factor of morbidity and not infrequently leading to severe adverse outcomes, such as amputation and life threatening sepsis.The study was aimed at analyzing the prevalence of diabetic foot infection,its complications and outcomes of different treatment modalities available in a tertiary care center.Material and Methods A prospective observational study of 12 month duration was conducted among 100 patients having a history of diabetes and diagnosed with diabetic foot ulcer undergoing treatment in the surgery department of a tertiary care center in Jammu.The period of study was Feb 2022 to Feb 2023.Prior to the study an informed written consent and approval of the ethics committee was obtained. Results The incidence of diabetic foot ulcers peaks at the 5th decade of life with the mean age in our study being 53.17±10.2 years.A predominance in the male population (m:f ratio=2.57:1) and higher risk in the lower socio-economic strata was also noticed. The most common presenting complaint being ulcer (96%) and discharge (67%).Culture positivity was seen in 80% of the patients with Staph.Aureus being the most common causative organism. The main stray of treatment involved debridement and amputation (31%) followed by Split thickness skin grafting (30%). No adverse events were noted during the course of study. Conclusion Being a menace in developing countries,diabetes mellitus,a disease with life threatening and physically incapacitating consequences which not only increases the patient morbidity but also substantially increases the economic burden. Provision of precise counseling and a multidisciplinary line of action can lessen the complication and amputation rate, and is therefore recommended, along with the incorporation of diabetic foot management guidelines into the routine practice and teaching