Epidemiological profile of patients attended in the diabetic foot consultation

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetic foot has multifactorial etiology, with a worldwide prevalence of 1.3-4.8 per 100 000 inhabitants.

Objective: To identify the main epidemiological characteristics of patients with diabetic foot.

Methods: A descriptive observational study of case series type was carried out in the "East Area" Teaching Polyclinic of Camagüey, to analyze the five-year period 2017-2021. From the universe of 301 patients, a sample of 250 was selected. The following variables were studied: age group, sex, years of disease evolution, type of triggering lesion, risk factors, type of ulcers and referral to secondary care. SPSS was used for data processing and the results were expressed in absolute values and percentages.

Results: There was a predominance of the age group 60 years and older (47.6 %), and of the male sex (52.8 %), diabetes mellitus with evolution of 15 years and more (40.8 %), wounds as triggering lesion (27.2 %), hyperglycemia (70 %), hypertension (81.2 %), neuropathic ulcer (48.0 %), and with need for secondary care and necroctomy (48.4 %).

Conclusions: In the series studied, a predominance of male sex, advanced age, and a history of long-term diabetes and having suffered a foot injury at the time of hyperglycemia were identified.