Assessment of Contributing Factors and Wound Severity in Diabetic Foot Ulcer - A Prospective Study

Abstract

The study aims to assess the factors contributing to the development of Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) and wound severity of ulcer in DFU, and also to assess the type of dressing used and provide relevant patient care education to patient with DFU. It is a prospective observational study conducted for 6 months, from November 2021 to April 2022 in the in-patient and out-patient facility of the surgery Department at ESIC Hospital, Nacharam, Hyderabad, Telangana in India. A total of 103 subjects were included in the study. The contributing factors of DFU and wound severity were assessed by Wagner-Meggitt classification system. This study concluded that along with hyperglycemia, hypertension (55.33%), traumas (33%) are the leading risk factors for DFU. The highest number of patients falls under moderate numbness. Various types of dressing used in different severity grade patients was assessed and was found that highest type of dressing used was saline dressing. Based on wound severity specific counselling points were provided to the patient to progress the wound healing process. Counselling regarding diabetic diet and lifestyle modification was provided based on the GRBS (Glycemic index) of the patients.