Clinical Profile, Risk Factors and Treatment Outcomes of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Prospective Observational Study from a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Abstract

ackground: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a serious diabetic complication that often leads to prolonged hospitalization, increased morbidity, and lower limb amputation. It is essential to identify and manage the risk factors associated with the condition.  Aim: To assess the prevalence and management of associated risk factors of DFU in a tertiary care teaching hospital.  Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, Government Medical College and Hospital, Cuddalore from December 2024 to May 2025. Sixty patients diagnosed with DFU were included in the study based on the eligibility criteria. The study gathered information on the prevalence and management of associated risk factors and analyzed the correlation between patient demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory investigations, and treatment outcomes. The data were analyzed using a structured proforma, and the severity of the ulcer was categorized using the Meggitt–Wagner classification. Descriptive, inferential, and multivariate logistic regression statistical tests were employed to reveal associations and risk factors.