Diabetic Foot Ulcer and its Associated Risk Factors in Diabetic Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease Presenting in the University Hospital of Nepal.

Background Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a common complication in diabetic patients especially in those with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). However, it can be prevented if its risk factors can be identified and adjusted. Objective To investigate the frequency of diabetic foot ulcers and their associated risk factors in diabetic patients with peripheral artery disease. Method Diabetic patients under medication with known peripheral arterial disease diagnosed with Doppler ultrasonography were recruited from the outpatient department of the cardiothoracic and vascular unit, at Dhulikhel Hospital. The patients were interviewed about their demographic details, presenting clinical symptoms, and the risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, duration of diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Also, the patients were assessed for any ulcers in their feet. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. Result The analysis demonstrated diabetic foot ulcers in 24.1% of the total 54 diabetic patients with peripheral arterial disease. The risk factors such as smoking (24.1%), increasing age (68.5%), hypertension (31.5%), and duration of diabetes (72.2%) were found in the majority of the patients. Out of these risk factors, smoking (Odds ratio: 6.81) and increasing age (Odds ratio: 0.28) were significantly associated with diabetic foot ulcers. (p < 0.05) Conclusion Diabetic foot ulcers affected about a quarter of diabetic patients with peripheral arterial disease and were found to be associated with increasing age and smoking.