MANAGEMENT OF DIABETIC FOOT - TWO YEARS EXPERIENCE

Authors

  • Arshad Zafar

Abstract

Background: Diabetic foot is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus and may be the initial presentation ofundiagnosed diabetes mellitus. A study of 48 patients with diabetic foot admitted in Surgical B Unit of Ayub TeachingHospital over a period of two years is presented here. Methods: This study was done to identify the risk factors andcausative organisms in diabetic foot. This will help to lay down important principles of management of diabetic footand highlight problems faced in the management of diabetic foot in our set up. Results: There were 32 (66.6%) malesand 16 (33.3%) females. The age incidence ranged from 30-70 years. Average length of hospital stay was 26 days. 2patients had cellulitis. 6 patients had gangrene. 10 patients had ulcers and 15 patients had abscesses. 31 (64%) patientswere cured by drainage of abscess and debridements alone. 17(36%) patients needed amputations. Peripheralneuropathy was the commonest risk factor. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism isolated fromcultures (54%). Conclusions: Early hospitalization, effective glycaemic control, aggressive debridements and patienteducation in foot care can minimize diabetic foot diseases.

References

Shera AS. Prevalence and prevention Diabet

Digest. 3 1998:12.7-8

Edwards CRW. Baird JD. Toft AD. Endocrine

Metabolic Diseases in Edwards CRW. Bouchier

lADttds) 3 Davidson s Principles and Practice of

Medicine. Edinburgh 1 Churchill Livingstone.

607-98

Renwick P. Vowden K. Wilkinson D. Vowden P

The j pathophysiology and treatment of diabetic

foot disease B Wound Care. I998;7(2): 107-10.

Colwell JA, Lopes Virella ME. A review of the

developments of large vessel disease in Diabetes

Mellitus Am J Med, | 1998, 85(5A) 113-18.

Whitelaw DC. Gilbay SO Insulin Resistance Ann

Clin Biochem. 1998; 35(5) 567-83.

Reliber GE. Diabetic foot care - Financial

implications and practice guidelines Department

of Health Services, University:) of Washington.

Seattle USA. Diabet Care, 1992; 29-31,

Macini L, Routolo V The Diabetic foot;

Epidemilogy. Rays,’ 1997; 22(4): 511-23.

Rosenqvist U. An epidemiological survey of

diabetic fool problems in Stockholm county. Acta

Med Scand Supp, 1994;687:55-60

Asbury AK. Brown MJ Clinical and Pathological

studies of diabetic neuropathies. In. Horinchi A,

Kogura K (Eds).. Diabetic neuropathy.

Proceedings of the International, Symposium on

Diabetic Neuropathy and its treatment

Amsterdam Exeerpta Medical. 1982.50.

Sims D. Keatin Se. De Vincentis AF.

Bacteriology df diabetic foot ulcers .1 Foot Surg.

; 23(2); 149-51. I

Mancini L Routolo V. Infection of the diabetic

foot Rap. 1997; 22(4): 544-9.

Goldstein EJ, Citron DM, Nesbit CA. Diabetic

fool infections. Bacteriology and activity of 10

oral antimicrobial M agents against bacteria

isolated from consecutive Cases. Diabet Care,

; 19(6):638-41.

Boutin RD. Brossmann .1, Sartoris DJ, Reilly D.

Resmk D Update on imaging of orthopaedic

inlections. Ortho Clitt North Am, 1998, 29(1).41-

Helfand AC. Preventing diabetic foot problems. |||

Podiatry, 1984; 1(2)343-51

Most read articles by the same author(s)