Diabetic Foot Ulceration in a Secondary Health Facility

Aims: To determine the prevalence, pattern and presentation of the diabetic foot ulcer. Background: A diabetic foot ulcer is a major complication in diabetes mellitus and probably the major component of diabetic foot. It occurs in 15% of all patients with diabetes and precedes 84% of all lower leg amputations. Poverty, low economic status and ignorance have resulted in this devastating disease. It may worsen in the next decade. There are multiple risk factors that predispose an individual to DM foot ulcer; they include age, gender(male), type of DM, glycaemic (HbA1c) or FBG level, duration of DM (>10yrs) occupational status particular habits of self-foot care and infection. Patients and Methods: This consists of 69 diabetic patients; male and female included done between the months of January 2019 to March 2019. A demographic data questionnaire and social history were obtained. Overnight fasting serum glucose was obtained. Serum glucose was determined by enzymatic glucose oxidase method. Data obtained were subjected to Stata Version 11 Software to determine the graphical representation, mean, standard deviation of the analysis. Results: Thirty-Five 35 were male and 34 were female had type 2 diabetes. Forty-Three 43 patients had foot ulcer, 21 patients had gangrene and 5 had infection. The number of patients with peak glucose values 10 mmol/L and least glucose at 20-25 mmol/L. Those of duration 4-6 years were the most affected the age group most affected is between 40-59 yrs. Discussion and Conclusion: Risk factors for foot ulceration discovered among a host other factors identified in this study, were the infection, low socioeconomic status, improper footwear, poor glycaemic control, structural foot deformity and untreated gangrene. The role of poor glycaemic control in the genesis of diabetic complications cannot be overemphasized as the mean FPG was noted to be considerably higher in patients with foot ulceration As part of a comprehensive foot care programme, education on foot care should be directed at patients, family members and healthcare providers. Not less than 85% of all diabetic foot-related problems are preventable. This can be achieved through a combination of good care of foot, provided by an inter-professional diabetes care team, and appropriate education for people with diabetes.