Prevalence and risk factors of diabetic foot ulcer at a tertiary care hospital among diabetic patients

Abstract

Background: Foot ulceration is preventable, and relatively simple interventions can reduce amputations by up to 80%. The objective of the present research was to study the prevalence and risk factors of diabetic foot ulcer among diabetic patients Methods: Present study was hospital based cross sectional study carried out at outpatient department of General Medicine for a period of January 2018 to June 2018 among 200 diabetic patients. All eligible patients willing to participate were included in the present study. Diabetic foot ulcer was diagnosed as per the standard criteria and based on the physician acumen. An attempt was made to identify the risk factors like smoking etc. The diagnosed patient was given appropriate treatment.Results: Males were more than females. majority of the patients were found in the age group of 51-60 years (35.5%). Majority of the diabetic patients were from rural area i.e. 84.5%. Majority were illiterate i.e. 69%. 21.5% were found to be smokers. 40% were using alcohol regularly. 36.5% were overweight and 14% were obese. Prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer among diabetic patients was found to be 16%. Age, residence, literacy, duration of diabetes and obesity were not found to be significantly associated with DFU. Diabetic foot ulcer was found to be significantly associated with being male, tobacco chewers, tobacco chewers + smokers, alcoholics, smokers + alcoholics, Family history of diabetes, and insulin users.Conclusions: Prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer among diabetic patients was very high. Tobacco use, alcohol use, mixed of tobacco and alcohol use, and family history of diabetes were significant risk factors for diabetic foot ulcer.