A STUDY OF THE RISK FACTORS PREDICTING AMPUTATION IN DIABETIC FOOT

JADHAV S.K.¹, SHINDE R.B.^2
1Department of Surgery, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Pimpri, Pune- 411036, MS, India.
²Kamla Nehru Hospital, Pune- 411075, MS, India.

Received : 30-08-2013     Accepted : 11-09-2013     Published : 21-12-2013
Volume : 1     Issue : 1       Pages : 1 - 3
World Res J Med 1.1 (2013):1-3

<i>Introduction:</i> Prevalence of Diabetes is increasing rapidly worldwide. Foot complications are a major cause of hospital admission for diabetes and they cause a disproportionately high number of hospital days because of repeated surgical procedures. Amputations are one of the most disabling complications of diabetes. <i>Material and Methods:</i> This is a prospective study of 50 patients with diabetic foot lesions presenting in surgical OPD of our hospital. In all patients, a detailed history and clinical examination was carried out. All foot lesions were classified and treated as per Wagner’s grading system. Various risk factors were evaluated that led to amputation. <i>Results:</i> Of the 50 patients, 18 (36%) patients had neuropathy of the foot and 26 (52%) patients had peripheral vascular disease whereas foot ulcers found in 37 (74%) patients. There were 24 (48%) patients who had undergone amputations. <i>Conclusion:</i> Male gender, trauma, poor glycemic control were associated with high amputation rate. Peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, infection, foot deformity and prior ulcer were other factors associated with an increased risk of amputation. Patients presented in the late stage of disease because of illiteracy, ignorance and poor knowledge. Good diabetic control, improving nutritional status, meticulous debridement and use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and early control of infection were found to be the main steps in reducing the major amputations.