PREVALENCE OF FOOT COMPLICATIONS IN ADMITTED PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Diabetic foot is one of the most severe and costly complications of diabetes mellitus, often leading to infections, hospitalization, and limb amputations. The growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in developing countries, particularly Pakistan, has made diabetic foot a pressing public health concern. Limited access to foot care services and delayed diagnosis further compound the risk of severe complications. Understanding the epidemiological burden and clinical patterns of diabetic foot complications is crucial for developing targeted preventive strategies.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and clinical characteristics of foot complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: This descriptive retrospective study included 183 male patients with T2DM aged between 40 and 70 years, admitted to the male general ward. The mean age was 57.87 ± 13.1 years. Data were extracted from hospital records, including foot lesion type, laterality, comorbidities, and surgical interventions. Diabetic foot complications were classified using Amit Jain’s classification. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 29.0.

Results: The right foot was affected in 109 patients (59.6%) and the left in 74 (40.4%). Type 1 diabetic foot complications were most prevalent, found in 131 patients (71.6%), followed by type 3 in 37 (20.2%) and type 2 in 15 (8.2%). Wet gangrene was the most frequent pathological lesion (68 cases; 37.2%), followed by abscesses (34 cases; 18.6%) and cellulitis (22 cases; 12.0%). Infected trophic ulcers were reported in 24 patients (13.1%), while 18 (9.8%) had osteomyelitis and 22 (12%) had peripheral arterial disease. Surgical amputation was performed in 147 patients (80.3%).

Conclusion: Type 1 diabetic foot complications, particularly wet gangrene, were the most common cause of hospitalization among male patients with T2DM, with a high rate of surgical intervention. These findings underscore the need for early screening, proper foot care education, and accessible multidisciplinary care.