Risk Factors for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from Diabetes Patients with Foot Ulcers (DFU) in a Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a major complication of diabetes mellitus. Risk of MRSA should be considered in selecting empirical antibiotics. This study was aimed to determine the Risk factors of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from Diabetes patients with foot ulcers (DFU). A total of 204 patients with diabetic foot were included in the study. Data collected using a pre-designed questionnaire included patient characteristics and medical history to determine risk factors for developing an MRSA infection in the foot. Specimens were obtained by scraping the ulcer base or the deep portion of the wound edge with a sterile curette, and were promptly sent to the laboratory for culture and identification. The prevalence of MRSA in DFU patients was 22.1%. Male patients with DFU were more infected with MRSA 26(12.7%) than females 19(9.3%) with statistical significance (p < 0.04). The age group 41 – 60 years had the highest prevalence of 27(13.2%) with statistically significance (p < 0.03). Farmers and DFU patients of 6 – 10 years had the highest prevalence of 20(9.8%) and 22(10.8%) without statistical significance. Risk factors were all significantly associated to MRSA colonization of diabetic foot ulcers and includes patients who had Type 2 diabetes for 1 – 5 years, and fasting blood sugar greater than >126, patients who smoked and drank for more than 10 years, and patients with body mass >30kg/m2. The prevalence of MRSA in DFU patients was 22.1% which was high. Risk factors were all statiatically associated to MRSA colonization of diabetic foot ulcers. The results from this study will guide healthcare workers on how to educate the patients in the study environment on the possible risk factors contributing to the colonization of MRSA in diabetic foot ulcers and the use of antibiotic therapy to eliminate MRSA from colonized wounds.