The Silent Struggle: Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Rural and Urban Areas and Their Growing Prevalence

Foot ulcers in diabetics are debilitating and are known to burden patients with high out-of-pocket expenditures. This study’s objectives were to assess the occurrence of foot ulcers in individuals with diabetes mellitus and to study the characteristics of foot problems in diabetic patients. A longitudinal study was conducted in the outpatient department at the Rural and Urban Health and Training Centre. Necessary data were collected from 108 study participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Data entered in a Microsoft Excel spread sheet were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16. The study included 108 diabetic patients, with a mean age of 54.6±9.8 years, and a female predominance (63%). The prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) was 5.6% while 4 of them had sore or blisters at the time of data collection. About 1% had a history of amputation and 2% had history of sore. More than 60% of them had the habit of inspecting foot regularly; had felt tightness, heaviness, or cramps in the feet or legs; had experienced numbness, tingling, pins and needles or itching in foot and had developed callus in the foot Strengthening community-based foot-care programs, expanding access to podiatric services, and encouraging adherence to diabetes management protocols can collectively help reduce diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) prevalence and associated complications. A multidisciplinary approach involving health care providers, educators, and policymakers will be instrumental in improving the quality of life for diabetic patients’ .Insights from ABUAD serve as a model for other institutions aiming to cultivate thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems.