Risk factors for diabetic foot ulcer among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients attending a tertiary care center – A case–control study from Central Karnataka

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are one of the most common complications in patients with uncontrolled diabetes. It is usually caused by poor blood sugar control, underlying neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, or improper foot care. Patient education regarding foot hygiene, nail care, and proper footwear is crucial for reducing the risk of an injury, along with early screening for diabetic neuropathy and adherence to a systematic regimen of diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The study aimed to identify the association of risk factors and sociodemographic factors for the development of DFU among Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Material and Methods: A hospital-based case–control study was conducted in Jagadguru Jayadeva Murugarajendra Medical College Davanagere for 12 months from March 1, 2021, to February 28, 2022. Eighty-four patients with diabetic foot were cases and the 84 controls who were known cases of diabetes as of 28 th February, without diabetic foot ulceration, were studied. Through personal interviews and the use of a predesigned, pretested questionnaire, data was collected on sociodemographic characteristics, the history of DM, including treatment, and associated risk factors for the development of diabetic foot. A general physical examination was performed to determine the study subjects’ state of health along with anthropometric measurements. Results: The mean age of this study population was 49.55 ± 8.4 years with male predominance. Patients with anatomical foot deformity, peripheral neuropathy, and callus were at higher risk of developing DFU. Poor glycemic control and the patients on insulin therapy were observed to be significantly associated with the development of DFUs. Diabetic foot care was well maintained among the entire study population, with no significant difference between the cases and controls. Conclusion: The most common risk factors for DFU in our study were peripheral neuropathy, foot deformities, and uncontrolled blood sugar levels.