Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Prospective Study Of 100 Patients Based On Wound Based Severity Score.

Abstract

The Diabetic foot is the commonest complication of Diabetes and is a leading cause of Hospitalization and prolonged in-patient treatment. Diabetic foot ulcer is far and away the most frequent indication for non traumatic lower limb amputations. Appropriate preventive measures as well as patient education will markedly reduce ulcer formation and the frequency of amputations in addition to cutting down on healthcare costs. Here we studied 100 diabetic patients on the basis of new wound based severity scoring system given by Beckert et al. AIMS & OBJECTIVES 1. Reviewing the established wound based clinical scoring system for diabetic foot ulcers suitable for daily clinical practice anticipating changes for healing and risk of amputation. 2. To evaluate the cause that leads to amputation & develop methods to minimized the chances amputation. 3. Establishing awareness for diabetic foot and ulcers in diabetic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery in collaboration with diabetic clinic, P.B.M. Hospital, Bikaner (Rajasthan) and S.M.S. Medical College, Jaipur (Rajasthan) from September 2010 to December 2013 in 100 patients. For clinically defined parameters, namely palpable pedal pulses, probing to bone, ulcer location, and presence of multiple ulcerations, were prospectively assessed in 100 consecutive patients on the basis of new diabetic ulcer severity score (DUSS). Probability of healing and risk of amputation was calculated by the Kaplan Meier method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS We conclude that DUSS provides an easy prognostic tool for anticipating probability of healing, hospital admission & need for surgery by combining four clinically assembled wound based parameters and it is easy to apply DUSS in daily clinical practi ce.