Publication:

Evaluating risk factors and surgical outcomes in diabetic foot patients at a tertiary care hospital

Background Diabetic foot disease is a serious and common complication of diabetes, often leading to chronic ulcers, infections and lower limb amputations. This study aims to assess the clinical outcomes of surgical interventions and identify key risk factors influencing prognosis in diabetic foot patients treated at a tertiary care hospital. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of surgical interventions and identify key risk factors influencing prognosis in diabetic foot patients treated at a tertiary care hospital.

Methods This prospective observational study at the Department of Surgery and SOPD, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (January-December 2018), included 73 diabetic foot patients aged 20–80 years, excluding those with renal failure, chronic liver disease or malignancy. After ethical approval and consent, data on clinical features, treatments and outcomes were collected alongside relevant investigations. Patients were followed every two months post-discharge. Data were analyzed using SPSS v22 with significance at p<0.05.

Results Of 73 diabetic foot patients (mean age 51 years), most were male (61.6%) with diabetes duration of 1–5 years. Ulcer was the main complaint (71.2%). Uncontrolled diabetes (65.8%) and elevated HbA1c (58.9%) were common. Key risk factors included neuropathy (64.4%) and hyperlipidaemia (63.0%). Surgical treatment was significantly associated with poor glycemic control (p<0.001), with highest recovery seen after debridement and reconstruction (89.3%).

Conclusions Uncontrolled diabetes and associated risk factors significantly influence the need for surgical intervention and affect outcomes in diabetic foot patients.