Risk Factors for Lower Limb Amputations in Diabetic Patients Firas Majeed Katoof* FICMS
Abstract
ABSTRACT Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem. Diabetic foot problems are a major complication that can lead to amputation.
Objectives: This study assess the risk factors for lower limb amputation in patients with "diabetic foot" namely ulcer and infection.
Methods: The study performed from January 2011 till January 2014 in Al-Yarmouk teaching hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. A cross-sectional study of a sample of 165 diabetic patients (type 2) who admitted to the hospital with diabetic foot. Patients are cases of complicated diabetes mellitus who had been admitted in the surgical department because of diabetic foot complication including ulceration and infection. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi- square test and independent sample t test. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Among 165 patients there were 123(74.5%) males and 42(25%) females. The mean age was (52.21 ± 8.31) years. The prevalence of amputation within the sample was 126(76.3%), from those amputated patients 30 (23.8%) had minor amputation (toe amputation and forefoot and metatarsal amputation), 74(58.7%) below knee and 22(17.4%) above knee amputations.
Conclusion: Infection, ulcer and history of previous ulcer and/or amputation are the main risk factors for lower limb amputation in diabetic patients.
Copyright (c) 2017 Iraqi Medical Journal

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