PLoS ONE (Jan 2021)

Diabetic foot ulcers: Retrospective comparative analysis from Sicily between two eras

  • Valentina Guarnotta,
  • Stefano Radellini,
  • Enrica Vigneri,
  • Achille Cernigliaro,
  • Felicia Pantò,
  • Salvatore Scondotto,
  • Piero Luigi Almasio,
  • Giovanni Guercio,
  • Carla Giordano

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 12

Abstract

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Aim The aim of this study was to analyze changes in the incidence, management and mortality of DFU in Sicilian Type 2 diabetic patients hospitalized between two eras, i.e. 2008–2013 and 2014–2019. Methods We compared the two eras, era1: 2008–13, era2: 2014–19. In era 1, n = 149, and in era 2, n = 181 patients were retrospectively enrolled. Results In the population hospitalized for DFU in 2008–2013, 59.1% of males and 40.9% of females died, whilst in 2014–2019 65.9% of males and 34.1% of females died. Moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) was significantly higher in patients that had died than in ones that were alive (33% vs. 43%, p Conclusions Patients with DFU have high mortality and reduced life expectancy. Age at onset of diabetic foot ulcer, eGFR values and CKD are the principal risk factors for mortality.