Presentation and Outcome of Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Saudi Arabian Patients

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate associated risk factors, clinical presentation, and outcome of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in a Saudi Arabian hospital. This is a prospective study of diabetic patients with foot ulcers at Saudi Aramco Medical Services Organization. The participants were referred to a wound care specialist. The study was conducted from December 2003 to December 2004 and included a total of 62 patients (30 men and 32 women). The mean age (SD) was 64.8 years (+ 12 years), with a range from 39 to 82 years. During the study period, 19% (12 of 62) of patients had amputations represented by 2 above-knee amputations, 3 below-knee amputations, and 7 limb-sparing surgeries. All patients with DFUs who underwent surgical amputation had a Wagner Classification of grade 4 (n = 9; 75%) or grade 5 (n = 3; 25%). Three patients (25%) had prior surgical limb-sparing amputations, and 11 (91%) patients were on insulin therapy. The associated risk factors with amputation were hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, absence of pedal pulses, and ischemic heart disease (P < .05). DFUs continue to be an important cause of morbidity and resulted in an amputation rate of 19%.