Prospective Observational Study: Risk Factors and Outcomes of Diabetic Foot Ulcer among Diabetes Mellitus Patients Admitted to Government Medical College, Nizamabad

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM), sometimes known as diabetes, is a collection of metabolic illnesses defined by a persistently high blood sugar level. Frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased appetite are common symptoms. In all nations, DM complications have become a serious public health issue.

Objectives: A hospital-based study, a prospective observational study was conducted among diabetic patients with diabetic foot ulcers at Government Medical College (GMC), Nizamabad. From September 2020 to October 2021

Materials and Methods: To calculate the sample size, a total population of 450 patients with type 2 DM diagnosed during the 6-month study period was considered. DFU patients were studied clinical characteristics of diabetic foot ulcer patients among diabetes mellitus patients, and risk factors and outcomes of diabetic foot ulcer.

Results: 100 Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) patients were admitted to the GMC throughout the research period, with 61 (61%) of them being male. The age group between 18 to 78 years, with an average of 58.9 ± 9.56 years. The following groups had higher frequencies among participants: married 56 (56 %), schooling up to primary school 36 (36%). Type 2 diabetes mellitus affected 59 of them (59%). Amputations were performed on 35 (35%) of the patients, whereas 65 (65%) had no amputation. The most generally recommended antibiotic for the treatment of DFU was cloxacillin + metronidazole 39 (39%), followed by ceftriaxone. Furthermore, diabetic foot ulcer patients with neuropathy were more likely to require amputation (AOR = 1.6250; 95 % CI: 0.6479, 4.0756) than diabetic foot ulcer patients without neuropathy.

Conclusion: Blood glucose level, higher body mass index, inappropriate antibiotics use, neuropathy and advanced grade of diabetic foot ulcer were independent predictors of amputation. Thus, a focus on weight loss, treating hyperglycemia, and prescribing suitable antibiotics for patients with neuropathy and advanced diabetic foot ulcers might reduce the unfavorable consequences of diabetic foot ulcers.