Study of Predictive Factors in Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Special Emphasis on Peripheral Arterial Disease

Abstract

Background: Studies on diabetic patients with foot ulcers having Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) are scarce. In this study, factors that predict diabetic foot ulcer patients' outcome are considered, and differences in predictors between patients with peripheral arterial disease and other patients are noted. Aim and Objective: To study the Predicting factors and outcome of Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) in patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease. Materials and Methods: Total of 300 diabetic patients with a foot ulcer in two groups; with and without PAD were subjected to a prospective study. Predicting factors and differences in these factors between these two groups were studied. Results: After one year of study ulcer did not heal in 23% of the patients. Older age, male sex, larger size of ulcer, peripheral poly neuropathy and PAD were considered as factors predicting healing. After analyses of study with special emphasis on PAD, infection was found to be a new factor in predicting of non-healing of ulcer only in patients with PAD. Conclusion: The association of Diabetic ulcers with PAD are significant factors to be taken into consideration while treating such individuals; there is need in the development of multimodal, practically applicable protocols for better management and to bring better results in these patients.

Keywords

• diabetic foot ulcers
• peripheral arterial disease
• non-healing ulcers
• polyneuropathy