Dataset Information

Severity and duration of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) before seeking care as predictors of healing time: A retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To investigate whether A) duration of ulcer before start of treatment in specialist health care, and B) severity of ulcer according to University of Texas classification system (UT) at start of treatment (baseline), are independent predictors of healing time.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study, based on electronic medical record data, included 105 patients from two outpatient clinics in Western Norway with a new diabetic foot ulcer during 2009-2011. The associations of duration of ulcer and ulcer severity with healing time were assessed using cumulative incidence curves and subdistribution hazard ratio estimated using competing risk regression with adjustment for potential confounders.

Results

Of the 105 participants, 45.7% achieved ulcer healing, 36.2% underwent amputations, 9.5% died before ulcer healing and 8.5% were lost to follow-up. Patients who were referred to specialist health care by a general practitioner ≥ 52 days after ulcer onset had a 58% (SHR 0.42, CI 0.18-0.98) decreased healing rate compared to patients who were referred earlier, in the adjusted model. High severity (grade 2/3, stage C/D) according to the UT classification system was associated with a decreased healing rate compared to low severity (grade1, stage A/B or grade 2, stage A) with SHR (95% CI) equal to 0.14 (0.05-0.43) after adjustment for referral time and other potential confounders.

Conclusion

Early detection and referral by both the patient and general practitioner are crucial for optimal foot ulcer healing. Ulcer grade and severity are also important predictors for healing time, and early screening to assess the severity and initiation of prompt treatment is important.

SUBMITTER: Smith-Strom H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5428931 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BACKGROUND:After years of decline, the rate of amputations was reported to increase by 50% in the U.S. population between 2009 and 2015. Few studies have examined the most recent trends in hospitalized diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in Asian patients. This study aimed to examine recent trends and outcomes in hospitalized DFU at a tertiary diabetes center in Bangkok. METHODS:We conducted a retrospective study from consecutive hospitalized DFU admissions from 2014 to 2018 at Theptarin Hospital, a multi-disciplinary diabetes center, led by diabetologists. RESULTS:During the study period, 290 patients (male 57.4%, age 65.5?±?13.3?years, T2DM 99.4%, DM duration 18.8?±?11.5?years, A1C 8.6?±?2.3%) with 350 admissions were included. DFU were classified into neuropathic wounds (38.0%), ischemic wounds (2.6%), and mixed-type wounds (59.4%). The median length of stay was 8?days. Severe DFU (Wagner grade 3-5) composed 68.3% of all DFU and one-third of patients had prior history of amputations. Complete healing was achieved in 73.5% of the patients. Major amputation was performed in 16 (4.6%) and minor amputation was performed in 78 (22.3%) of all DFU. The mortality rate at 1 year after discharge was 12.0%. Advanced diseases with higher co-morbidities were associated with worse outcomes. When compared with our previous published data from 2009 to 2013, the annual rate of ischemic wounds from peripheral arterial diseases (PAD) and severity of DFU were increased in this study period. The major amputation rate slightly decreased from 6.0 to 4.6% but the minor amputation rate increased from 18.7 to 22.3%. CONCLUSION:The changing trend of DFU provides an excellent outlook into the inadequacies of our current diabetes care systems and global trend of aging population. After considerable successes in reducing major amputations over the past decade, the current analysis revealed a discouraging change in the healing rate of DFU and a stable pattern of major amputation. The prevalence of PAD among Thai patients with DFU increased significantly and affected the results of DFU treatments. Redefined organization of care with multidisciplinary team approach and coordination with referral centers are urgently required to improve outcomes of DFU.