Risk factors for the diabetic foot infection with multidrug-resistant microorganisms in South India

Abstract

Background: To analyse the risk-factors contributing to infection with multidrug-resistant organisms.Methods: 150 diabetic patients with foot ulcer were prospectively studied. Detailed clinical history and clinical examination of the ulcer were done for all patients. The microbiological profile was analyzed for each patient. Using internationally accepted criteria, the multidrug-resistant organisms were identified. Risk factors for acquiring MDRO infection were identified using appropriate statistical tools.Results: MDRO were isolated from 99 patients of 150 (66%). 54.8% (153 out of 279) of isolated organisms were multidrug-resistant organisms. By univariate analysis poor glycaemic control, previous hospitalisation, previous history of amputation, previous antibiotic usage, size of the ulcer, necrotic ulcer, recurrent ulcers, higher grade of ulcer, the presence of osteomyelitis, the presence of retinopathy, peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy and polymicrobial culture, were significantly associated with MDRO infected foot ulcers. Analysis by logistic regression indicated that only two factors significantly increased the risk of acquiring MDRO infection. They are recurrent ulcer (OR = 3.39, p <0.05, 95% CI = 1.081-10.664) and higher grade of ulcer (OR = 13.44, p <0.001, 95 % CI =3.595-50.278).Conclusions: The prevalence of MDRO is alarmingly high in infected diabetic foot ulcers. Recurrent ulcers and higher grade of ulcers are more prone to acquire MDROs.