CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RISK FACTORS OF DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Abstract

Background: DFU is a growing healthcare problem in diabetes and forms one of the most frequent causes of sickness for society, especially with poor health literacy and early intervention at substandard levels in Pakistan. Ulcers are a major cause of hospitalisation, dissection, and mortality in diabetic patients.

Objective: To explore diabetic foot ulcers in Type-2 diabetes patients at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan to detect clinical features and risk factors.

Methods: At LUH, Hyderabad, a hundred patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with foot ulcers in Pakistan were selected in this cross-sectional study. Demographic, glycaemic control, age, gender, comorbidities, ulcer type, and neuropathy symptoms were reported and compared.

Results: The results were mostly male patients (62%) and were presented at age > 50 years (70%). Poor glycemia (HBA1C 8%) was found in 74%. The most common risk factors were neuropathy (68%), peripheral artery disease (36%), and poor leg hygiene (59%). Woner grade 2 and 3 ulcers were the most common.

Conclusion: DFU remains a bad dream for diabetes care in Pakistan. Early recognition, patient education, and multidisciplinary management are the keys to reducing the burden of this avoidable problem.

How to cite: Memon B, Ali M. Clinical characteristics and risk factors of diabetic foot ulcers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Hyd J Sci. 2025; 1(8): 6-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17112076