Evaluation of Clinical and Lifestyle Risk Factors Contributing to the Disease Burden of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Prospective Observational Study


Authors : Dr. Junior Sundresh N.; Maheema R.; Priyadharshini U.

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 9 - September


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/bdkuzk9y

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/yfd5d67z

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25sep698

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Abstract : Background: Among the complications of diabetes, foot ulcers are particularly concerning due to their association with disability, infection and increased mortality risk. This prospective observational study evaluated the clinical and lifestyle risk factors contributing to DFUs. Methods: The study was conducted at GCMCH over a six-month period and included 50 patients clinically diagnosed with diabetic foot ulcers. Demographic and clinical details, such as ulcer characteristics, glycemic control (HbA1c), foot deformities, and time of presentation, were analysed to assess their association with diabetic foot ulcers. Results: DFU were predominant among female and those above age seventy-one. We observed that both ulcer grade and HbA1c levels showed strong positive correlation with healing duration. Dietary patterns did not influence ulcer recurrence. Conclusion: Clinical and lifestyle risk factors significantly contribute to high rates of amputation, recurrence, and mortality. Targeted preventive and therapeutic strategies addressing these risk factors are imperative to reduce the overall disease burden of diabetic foot ulcers.

Keywords : Diabetic Foot Ulcer, Risk Factors, Recurrence, Amputation.

References :

  1.  S. K. Das, P. Roy, P. Singh, M. Diwakar, V. Singh, S. Maurya, A. Kumar, S. Kadry and J. Kim, “Diabetic foot ulcer identification: A review,” Diagnostics, vol. 13, no. 1, p. 1998, 2023, doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13121998.
  2. X. Wang, C. Yuan, B. Xu, and Z. Yu, “Diabetic foot ulcers: Classification, risk factors and management,” World Journal of Diabetes, vol. 13, no. 12, pp. 1049–1065, 2022.
  3. J. M. Raja, M. A. Maturana, S. Khouzam, and N. Efeovbokhan, “Diabetic foot ulcer: A comprehensive review of pathophysiology and management modalities,” World Journal of Clinical Cases, vol. 11, no. 8, pp. 1684–1693, 2023.
  4. F. M. Lusendi, A. S. Vanherwegen, F. Nobels, and G. A. Matticali, “A multidisciplinary Delphi consensus to define evidence-based quality indicators for diabetic foot ulcer care,” European Journal of Public Health, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 253–259, Apr. 2024, doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckad235.
  5.  P. Shah, A. Kumar, V. S. Nair, and R. Gupta, “Study on management of diabetic foot ulcer in a tertiary centre,” Indian Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 89–95, 2024.
  6. R. Al-Mansour, H. M. Al-Zahrani, A. M. Al-Harbi, and F. A. Al-Mutairi, “Multidrug-resistant organisms and biofilm-forming pathogens in diabetic foot infections: A retrospective cohort study,” Saudi Medical Journal, vol. 45, no. 3, pp. 215–224, Mar. 2024.
  7. G. A. Ruiz-Grao, A. Díez-Fernández, and A. E. Mesas, “Trends in the incidence of Type 1 diabetes in European children and adolescents from 1994 to 2022: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” Pediatr. Diabetes, 2024.
  8. K. J. Bell and S. J. Lain, “The changing epidemiology of Type 1 diabetes: A global perspective,” Diabetes Obes. Metab., vol. 27, no. Suppl. 6, pp. 3–14, Jun. 2025.

Background: Among the complications of diabetes, foot ulcers are particularly concerning due to their association with disability, infection and increased mortality risk. This prospective observational study evaluated the clinical and lifestyle risk factors contributing to DFUs. Methods: The study was conducted at GCMCH over a six-month period and included 50 patients clinically diagnosed with diabetic foot ulcers. Demographic and clinical details, such as ulcer characteristics, glycemic control (HbA1c), foot deformities, and time of presentation, were analysed to assess their association with diabetic foot ulcers. Results: DFU were predominant among female and those above age seventy-one. We observed that both ulcer grade and HbA1c levels showed strong positive correlation with healing duration. Dietary patterns did not influence ulcer recurrence. Conclusion: Clinical and lifestyle risk factors significantly contribute to high rates of amputation, recurrence, and mortality. Targeted preventive and therapeutic strategies addressing these risk factors are imperative to reduce the overall disease burden of diabetic foot ulcers.

Keywords : Diabetic Foot Ulcer, Risk Factors, Recurrence, Amputation.

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Paper Submission Last Date
31 - December - 2025

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