Risk factors for amputation in diabetic foot ulcer patients identified in new research
Nine “significant” risk factors for lower extremity amputation in diabetic foot ulcer patients have been identified in new research.
The meta-analysis of 16 studies taken from Chinese and English databases indicates that the overall amputation rate in patients with diabetic foot ulcers is 31%.
Researchers in China identified the significant risk factors for lower extremity amputation in these patients as gender (male), smoking history, high BMI, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, white blood cell count, haemoglobin and albumin levels.
However, age, diabetes type, duration of diabetes, stroke, glycated haemoglobin, creatinine and total cholesterol levels were not found to be significant risk factors.
The study authors say their findings suggest that attention should be focused on these risk factors in patients with diabetic foot ulcers to reduce the risk of lower extremity amputation.
They said: “These findings help narrow the clinical focus, enabling clinicians to more accurately identify high-risk patients. Targeted and timely interventions should be implemented for high-risk patients, such as regular foot examinations, appropriate foot care education and early detection and treatment of foot ulcers.”