DIABETIC FOOT: A SNAPSHOT FROM A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, RAWALPINDI

Diabetic Foot

Abstract

Objective: To study the pattern of diabetic foot among diabetic patients visiting the tertiary care hospital.

Study Design: Observational descriptive study.

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Rawalpindi and Military Hospital (MH), Rawalpindi, from June 2014 to August 2014.

Material and Methods: Fifty six known diabetic patients, undergoing treatment or follow up for diabetic foot were included in the study. A detailed medical history was obtained and recorded in the proforma. Frequencies and percentages of complications of diabetic foot were calculated. SPSS version 16 was used for data analysis.

Results: Out of fifty six diabetic patients, 35 (62.5%) were male and 21 (37.5%) were females; their mean age was 58.21 ± 7.10 years. Mean duration of Diabetes mellitus was 6.04 ± 3.35 years. The median known duration of DM2 was 11 (5-43) years. 21.4% of patients had foot infection while 35.7% patients were suffering from foot ulcers. 42.9% patients had both, foot infection along with ulcers.

 Conclusion: Foot infections and foot ulcers are common feature of diabetic foot. Infected foot ulcer is a common cause of morbidity in diabetic patients, ultimately leading to dreaded complications like gangrene and amputations. All patients with diabetes should have an annual foot examination.