oa Prevalence of main risk factors of diabetic foot among diabetic patients attending specialized center for diabetes in Baghdad, Iraq 2013

Introduction: Diabetic foot is one of the most disabling complications with substantial morbidity. It remains the most common reason for hospital admission, impairs quality of life, engenders high treatment costs and is the most important risk factor for amputation.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of diabetic foot among diabetic patients and the prevalence of main related risk factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in Specialized Center for Diabetes in Baghdad - Iraq in which 410 diabetic patients age range 30–83 years were selected using convenient sample from 1st June - 31st September 2013. Data was collected by direct interview using a questionnaire, physical examination, patients' records and laboratory investigations. The data was analyzed using Minitab software version 16.

Results: Among 410 diabetic patients, females (56.83%) and males (43.17%). The prevalence of diabetic foot among diabetic patients was 19.27%. The following risk factors showed a statistically significant association with diabetic foot development: male gender (P = 0.047), duration of diabetes mellitus (P = 0.001), history of bare foot (P = 0.001), non-self-cleaning of foot (P = 0.001), hypertension (P = 0.006), irregular visits to diabetes center (P = 0.016) and uncontrolled level of HbA1c (P = 0.001). Applying binary logistic regression analysis revealed an independent significant association with diabetic foot development with: history of barefoot (AOR = 2.95), non-self-cleaning of foot (AOR = 2.24), male gender (AOR = 2.17), duration of diabetes mellitus (AOR = 1.37) and uncontrolled level of HbA1c level (AOR = 5).

Conclusions and recommendations: There is a high prevalence of diabetic foot among diabetic patients. The study recommends implementing the knowledge of main risk factors into preventive policies and investing more financial support on training programs in primary health care and specialized centers, patient education and DF problem awareness programs.