Descriptive study of diabetic foot at the Marc Sankale Diabetes Center. Report of 105 cases

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic foot is a major complication of diabetes due to its frequency and its high risk of evolution to amputation. We report 105 cases recruited at the diabetes centre Marc Sankale. METHOD: It's a prospective study including all diabetic patients who attended the diabetes centre for any foot lesion during a one year period. Besides clinical examination data, results of glycaemia, foot X-ray Doppler and bacteriological analysis of the pus were collected. RESULTS: foot lesion represented 2.8% of diabetologist causes of consultation. Mean age of occurrence was 55 +/- 14 years in 63% women and 37% men. Diabetes was type 2 in 90% cases, poorly controlled in 63.92 % cases. Foot lesion was dominated by infection (97%), isolated or associated to peripheral vascular disease (32.4%) or neuropathy (13.3%). 67 patients had medical treatment and healed their wounds in 3 months in 76% cases. 38 other cases needed surgery : major amputation (15%), minor amputation (13%) debridment (9%) and revascularization (1%). CONCLUSION: Diabetic foot is a frequent reason for consultation at the National diabetes centre. Despite all the improvements made after the implementation of the patient's educational program, treatment starts late because of economical and cultural reasons that increase morbidity.