Clinical predictors of imminent diabetic foot ulcer among diabetes mellitus patients attending diabetic clinics in Dar es Salaam And Zanzibar 2023
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Date
2023
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Hubert Kairuki Memorial University
Abstract
Background: Diabetic foot ulcer is a chronic, often serious, and potentially disabling
complication that arises in individuals with diabetes mellitus. It is a wound or an open
sore that typically forms on the foot, particularly on the soles or sides of the feet. DFUs
tend to develop due to a combination of factors associated with diabetes; hyperglycemia,
presence of calluses, foot deformities, peripheral neuropathy, and poor circulation, which
can impair the ability of the foot to heal. The management of diabetic foot ulcers requires
a multidisciplinary approach. Hence, detection of the clinical predictors of imminent
diabetic foot ulcer and timely interventions are the only soaring approaches that are less
costly and more effective.
Broad objective: to determine the distribution of clinical predictors of imminent diabetic
foot ulcer among diabetes mellitus patients attending diabetic clinics in Dar es Salaam
and Zanzibar
Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among diabetes mellitus
patients attending diabetic clinics in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Questionnaires were
used to collect demographic data and clinical characteristics of the study participants.
Random blood glucose and skin scrape tests were done using standard methods.
Results: A total of 202 participants (72 males and 130 females) were studied. Out of
the 202 study participants, the proportion of diabetic foot ulcers was 40.6%, with the
clinical predictors of imminent diabetic foot ulcer; peripheral neuropathy (47%), calluses
(43.1%), hyperglycemia (34.2%) foot deformities (20.8%) and peripheral vasculopathy
(10.4%).
Conclusion: The presence of clinical predictors of imminent DFU in diabetes mellitus
patients can lead to the development of DFU with negative irreversible consequences
such as LLA. Hence, identifying these clinical predictors of imminent DFU enables the
prevention of the development of DFU and its complications. The presence of clinical
predictors of imminent DFU such as; hyperglycemia, poor foot care practices, peripheral
neuropathy, peripheral vasculopathy, calluses, and the presence of foot deformities can
contribute to DFU if no preventive strategies are undertaken.
Recommendations: Healthcare providers are strongly advised to pay close attention
to the clinical indicators signaling imminent DFU in patients with diabetes mellitus. It is
essential to continue implementing preventive measures for high-risk foot; good glycemic
control including adherence to medication as well as lifestyle changes, daily foot
examinations by the patients, proper footwear, and reporting any foot changes to the
clinic.
Description
A Dissertation Submitted in (partial) Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Medicine (Internal Medicine) atHubert Kairuki Memorial University November, 2023
Keywords
Imminent diabetic foot, Diabetes mellitus, Dar es salaam and Zanzibar
Citation
Moloo, S. A., 2023. Clinical predictors of imminent diabetic foot ulcer among diabetes mellitus patients attending diabetic clinics in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar 2023.