Multidrug resistant organism predicts ulcer recurrence following surgical management of diabetic foot osteomyelitis

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers commonly precede diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) and once the latter occurs, surgical management is often performed. The presence of osteomyelitis is an independent risk factor for the development of re-ulceration. We investigated the relationship between causative organisms in osteomyelitis and 1-year diabetic foot outcomes (re-ulceration, amputation, and death) following surgical management in an observational cohort of 223 patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for available demographic, clinical, and laboratory data. In addition, random forest plots were used to identify microbiologic predictors of 1-year outcomes. Patients with osteomyelitis managed surgically were younger and exhibited more painful peripheral neuropathy than outpatients with diabetes alone (both P