ASSESSMENT OF ANTIBIOTIC REGIMEN FOR DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS AT TWO HOSPITALS IN ABUJA, NIGERIA.

Some diabetics may develop chronic wounds on the lower limbs called Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs). Antibiotics are a major component of DFU management. This study, a retrospective cross-sectional study, sought to determine patterns and effectiveness, antibiotics prescribed for DFUs at National Hospital, Abuja (NHA), and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), for one hundred and fifty (150) DFU patients. On the Wagner Scale, 63 (42.0%) patients, and 51 (34.0%) were at DFU grades 3 and 2, respectively. All bacteria isolated were aerobic. The most and least frequently isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus, at a frequency of 52 (34.7%), and coagulase-negative staphylococci, at a 4 (2.7%) frequency. No statistical association existed between ages and isolates, nor between gender and Isolates (p>0.05). More patients accessed care at NHA, 61.3%, while 36.7% attended UATH. NHA prescribed more antibiotics, 95 (61.3%), and 55 (36.7%) at UATH. While ceftriaxone was most prescribed, 28 (18.6%), Clindamycin and Erythromycin were least prescribed, 1 (0.6%). Clindamycin/Ceftriaxone/Vancomycin, 34 (22.6%), and Ceftriaxone/Vancomycin, 26 (17.3%), were prescribed as combinations. There were differences in antibiotic prescription rates between the two hospitals (p < 0.011). Neither the DFU grade nor isolated bacteria (p=0.05) influenced antibiotic prescription. More patients, 89 (59.4%) had unsatisfactory treatment outcomes; 67 (44.7%) had partial healing, 61 (40.7%) had complete healing, amputations were 17 (11.3%), while deaths, or no improvements, were 4 (2.7%) and 1 (0.7%). Guidelines should be instituted on antibiotic use to promote positive DFU treatment and mitigate the emergence of antibiotic resistance.