A Study to Evaluate Clinical and Bacteriological Profile and the Effect of the Treatment to Diabetic Foot Ulcer Patients Both in Outpatient and Hospitalized Settings in a Newly Set Up Diabetic Foot Care Unit.

ABSTRACT

The problem of diabetes continues to explode in our country today. India now has the dubious distinction of being called, “the diabetic capital of the world”. Diabetic foot ulcerations & infections are one of the leading causes of mortality & morbidity from diabetes. It is the most expensive complication of diabetes & the leading cause of hospitalization when compared to other complication of diabetes. The number of cases & problems associated with diabetic foot infection have dramatically increased in the recent years. In rural Bengal, the problem is grave as detection and treatment initiation is very late.METHODSA prospective observational study was conducted in Medicine & Surgery OPD and IPD of Bankura Sammilani Medical College for twenty weeks. Baseline characteristic were noted, ulcer classification was done followed by swab culture, debridement and antimicrobial therapy. Then outcome was observed.RESULTSMaximum patients were aged between 38 to 58 years, were male and were Wagner 1-3 classification. From culture report S. aureus was predominant followed by Enterobacteriaceae group and anaerobes. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination was the most effective antibiotic followed by amikacin. Treatment was satisfactory with dressing, debridement and appropriate antibiotic.CONCLUSIONSS. aureus, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli & Anaerobes were the most common causes of diabetic foot infections in my study, and were sensitive to the conventional antibiotics indicating that there is no evidence to suggest significant resistance to these antibiotics. Hence, their empirical usage, either oral or injectable (depending on the type of foot ulcer) is justified. Proper education regarding footwear & foot care is strongly recommended in such patients.