ABSTRACT
Introduction: Among all the chronic complications affecting a person with diabetes, foot disease is the most devastating. The majority of diabetic foot ulcers are often associated with diverse population of bacteria. Hence, the present study was undertaken to examine the bacteriological profi le associated with diabetic foot infections. Materials and Methods: This study included a total of 100 diabetic patients with foot ulcers. Two sterile swabs were used to collect the sample from the deeper portion of the ulcers, of which one was used for Gram-staining and another for culture and sensitivity. Results: A total of 120 bacterial isolates were obtained from 100 patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Gram-negative bacilli (68.4%) showed an increased prevalence than the Gram-positive cocci (31.6%), and the most common isolate was Pseudomonas spp. (26.2%). Conclusion: Variations in bacteriological profi le in different studies could be attributed to geographic locations or type and severity of the infection. Thus, a thorough knowledge on antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates is required for planning the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Hyperglycemia as assessed by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) may be an important biomarker in predicting wound healing rate in diabetic patients. Thus, the present study also intended to relate the HbA1c levels to wound healing in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 diabetic patients with foot ulcers of variable sizes were included in the study and were assigned into two groups based on HbA1c levels. Mean area, length, and width of the ulcer were measured at baseline and during next subsequent visits in either group. Results: Mean area, length, and width of the ulcer at baseline did not show any signifi cant difference, whereas a statistically signifi cant (p < 0.01) difference was observed in mean measurement change per day between Groups A and B patients. Conclusion: This study suggests that slower wound healing is associated with increased HbA1c levels and can be considered as an independent biomarker in assessing wound healing in patients with diabetic foot ulcer.