The Risk Factors Associated with Foot Re-Ulceration in Diabetes: A Retrospective Study Including Psychosocial Risk Factors / 대한족부족관절학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate several risk factors related to re-ulceration of diabetic foot including psychosocial aspects such as familial support and degree of independence of patients' activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed medical records and performed telephone interview with eighty-five patients who had a history of hospitalization in our hospital due to diabetic foot ulceration from year 2002 to 2010. Based on the collected data, we analyzed several factors such as age, gender, prevalence duration, accompanying diseases, HbA1c level, degree of independence and familial support. RESULTS: The mean age was 61.4 years and most common in the 4th decade. There were 57 cases (67%) of recurrence, predominance of male. Eleven patients with recurrent diabetic foot ulceration had undergone major amputations. Psychosocial problems such as depression, insufficient familial support and mortality were more frequently observed in recurrent group. CONCLUSION: This study shows that psychosocial factor such as familial support for patient with diabetic foot could be important to reduce the recurrence rate of diabetic foot ulceration. Therefore, we should pay attention to strategic plans for prevention, screening, treatment, and aftercare through the prospective studies including psychosocial risk factor in diabetic foot ulceration.