Study of Risk Factor Cotributary in the Development of Diabetic Foot Ulceration

Abstract

Aim: To determine and evaluate the risk factor which leads to the development of diabetic foot ulcers. Plan and study design: This descriptive study was conducted at surgical department of Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental college Lahore between 2012 to 2017. Method: 250 patients with Diabetic foot problems were evaluated demographically, detailed history, clinical examination, Labortary findings, and diabetic complications. Glycemic control was determined on the basis of FBS and HBA1C. Foot problems were classified according to Wagner’s Grading. Results: Majority of the patients were male and belonged to rural background. Foot problems were more common in patients with age group above 50 and obese (BMI >25). Patients more likely to develop foot problems that had duration of diabetes more than 10 years and presence of significant foot deformities. Smoking, peripheral neuropathy and history of unrecognized trauma to foot were also contributory factors in the development of foot problems in diabetic populations. Conclusions: Effective glycemic control, smoking cessation, protecting the foot by the trauma, presence of previous foot ulceration and awareness about diabetic foot problem to the patients reduced the chances of developing foot problems in diabetic patients. Primary care physician can play a vital role to decrease foot complications in diabetic population by educating them and examination of the foot on each visit to rule out peripheral neuropathies.