Descriptive Analysis of Anatomical Location and Metabolic and Microbiological Factors in Diabetic Foot (DF) Treated at a DF Specialty Tertiary Care Hospital With a Multidisciplinary Approach

Background and aims The outcome of a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) may be affected by many factors, including the clinical anatomy of the ulcer, metabolic control, the presence of complications, and infections. This study evaluates the effect of metabolic factors, the clinical anatomy of the ulcer at presentation, and antibiotic appropriateness on treatment outcomes in terms of amputation in patients with diabetic foot (DF). Materials and methods This is a cross-sectional observational study involving data collected from patients with IPD diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and DFU at a tertiary care DF specialty hospital in Maharashtra, India. Results Data from a total of 106 patients were included for analysis. Fifty-two patients healed without amputation while 54 underwent either minor or major amputation. Patients who did not require amputation had a statistically significant higher incidence of cellulitis, ulcers at the heel and lateral malleolus, and ulcers classified as Wagner grade 1 or 2. In contrast, factors significantly associated with amputation included lower weight and BMI, multiple ulcers at presentation, ulcers involving the second, third, fourth, or fifth toe, midfoot, or medial malleolus, ulcers graded 3, 4, or 5, and additional surgery performed during the same hospital admission. The most commonly collected specimen was pus, followed by tissue and bone. The most frequently isolated microorganisms were <i>Escherichia (E.) coli</i> and <i>Klebsiella</i>. All microorganisms were sensitive to Piperacillin-Tazobactam and matched the initially prescribed antibiotic, which was chosen as per the hospital antibiogram. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) were prescribed more frequently in the non-amputation group while insulin use was higher in the amputation group, although there was no significant difference in the use of metabolic drugs between the two groups. Conclusion The anatomical location of the wound, advanced grade, number of ulcers, additional procedures, nutritional status, and the presence of Coagulase-negative <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in tissue are significant predictors of amputation.