Glycemic control and its relationship to diabetic foot ulcers.

Glucosylhaemoglobin (HbA1) was estimated in 60 diabetic patients, 30 with foot ulceration and 30 without foot lesions. Peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease were commonly found in the ulcer' group. The mean HbA1 level in diabetics without ulcers was 9.77 +/- 2.34, while the corresponding level in diabetics with ulcers was 14.14 +/- 3.63. The difference in values is statistically highly significant (p less than 0.001) suggesting that foot ulcers are more likely to occur in poorly controlled diabetic patients.