Publication:

An approach to diagnosis and management of diabetic foot in rural medical college

Background India has the dubious distinction of becoming the diabetic capital of the world within the next few years; with its attendant complications it is going to burden the resources of the country. A majority of diabetic patients develop foot ulcers in one point of time or other during the course of their illness. A significant number of such patients will require long-term hospital treatment and amputations. Objective is to assess the predisposing factor and various modes of clinical presentation and management of Diabetic foot ulcer.

Methods An observational and prospective Hospital based Study was conducted at AIMS, B G Nagara, Bellur Cross from January 2018 to June 2018. A total of 40 patients with Diabetes Mellitus and suffering from diabetic foot ulcer admitted in the department of surgery were included in the study.

Results The mean age was 61+ 13.9 years. The male constituted nearly 26 (65%) and 14 (35%) females. Nearly 31(78%) of the cases had some of the predisposing factors for the diabetic ulcer of the foot The involvement of peripheral Vascular Disease was seen in 6 (16%) of the cases and 9(22%) had. The levels of HbA1C more than 7 mg % was seen in nearly 82 % of the case showing poor glycaemic control.

Conclusions Diabetic patients have always suffered from complications affecting the lower limbs. Foot infection and the subsequent amputation of a lower extremity are the most common cause of hospitalization among diabetic patients.