Diabetic foot disease in north central Nigeria: A hospital-based study

Background : Diabetic foot disease contributes significantly to the morbidity and mortality of patients with diabetes mellitus. The patients have a high risk of  amputation. This 173 study aimed to evaluate the pattern of diabetic foot disease in Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi (BSUTH). Methods: A retrospective study of diabetic foot disease patients who presented to BSUTH from July 2012 to October 2016. Socio-demographic and clinical  characteristics were extracted from hospital records and analyzed with SPSS version 21.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) . Results : A total of 77 patients with diabetic foot disease were studied. There were 39 males (50.6%) and 38 females (49.4%). Their ages ranged from 26 to 75 years with a mean of 54±11. The modal age group was 55-64 years. Twenty six percent (n=20) of study subjects had no formal education. Twenty patients (31.2%) claimed to have regular follow up in clinic while 12 (15.6%) were diagnosed diabetic while being investigated for a foot lesion. Out of the 68 foot lesions treated, 45 (66.2%) were treated surgically while the rest had wound dressings and antibiotics. Major amputation accounted for 38.2% of treatment form offered. Use of ill-fitting shoes was the most common antecedent contributory factor (n=30, 30.6%) for  development of diabetic foot disease. Mortality was significantly related to Wagner's grade ≥ 3 (P = 0.0271). Conclusion : Diabetic foot disease constitutes a major source of morbidity and  mortality among patients with diabetes mellitus in BSUTH.Most patients presented late with advanced disease. Public enlightenment on foot care in high-risk diabetics may aid early detection. Keywords: Diabetic foot disease, diabetic ulcers, pattern, presentation, Nigeria.