This study aimed to investigate factors affecting length of
hospital stay and
mortality of a specific group of
patients with infected
diabetic foot ulcer who underwent surgical
drainage without major
amputation, which is frequently encountered by
orthopedic surgeons. Data on length of
hospital stay,
mortality, demographics, and other medical information were collected for 79 consecutive
patients (60
men, 19
women; mean age, 66.1 [SD, 12.3] yr) with infected
diabetic foot ulcer who underwent surgical
drainage while retaining the
heel between October 2003 and May 2013. Multiple
linear regression analysis was performed to determine factors affecting length of
hospital stay, while multiple Cox
regression analysis was conducted to assess factors contributing to
mortality.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, P=0.034),
glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level (P=0.021),
body mass index (BMI, P=0.001), and major
vascular disease (
cerebrovascular accident or
coronary artery disease, P=0.004) were significant factors affecting length of
hospital stay, whereas age (P=0.005) and
serum blood urea nitrogen (
BUN) level (P=0.024) were significant factors contributing to
mortality. In conclusion, as
prognostic factors, the length of
hospital stay was affected by the severity of
inflammation, the recent control of
blood glucose level, BMI, and major
vascular disease, whereas
patient mortality was affected by age and renal function in
patients with infected
diabetic foot ulcer undergoing surgical
drainage and
antibiotic treatment.