Analysis of anxiety levels in relation to diabetic foot presence in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction: Anxiety disorders are among the leading types of disorders in the general population, with symptoms that often have a significant impact on people's daily lives. Additionally, anxiety symptoms have been shown in studies conducted worldwide to be a significant factor influencing the course of diabetes, as well as the development of potential complications of the disease itself. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the level of anxiety in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus depending on the presence of diabetic foot. Material and methods: This study is a retrospective-prospective analysis conducted between October 15, 2023, and February 15, 2024. A total of 87 patients were included, who were categorized into three groups based on the presence of diabetic foot. All participants were treated at the Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases of the University Clinical Center of Serbia (UCCS) and the Institute of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, UCCS. Anxiety levels among the subjects were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire. Results: The highest scores on the GAD-7 scale were observed in patients with diabetic foot who underwent amputation, while significantly lower scores were found in patients with diabetic foot treated with conservative methods. Conclusion: A possible factor contributing to the higher scores on the GAD-7 test may have been the severity of the disease, as well as the complex interaction between anxiety, diabetes, and diabetic foot. This underscores the importance of considering mental health in the comprehensive care of individuals with diabetes.