A Clinical Note on Epidemiological Profile of Infected Diabetic Foot Patients on the Surgical Department of Al Farabi Regional Hospital of Oujda (NE-Morocco)

Abstract

<p>Diabetic foot is one of the most serious complications of diabetes, often leading to amputation or even death. This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to analyse the epidemiological and clinical features of diabetic foot among patients hospitalized in the surgery department at Regional Hospital Centre (CHR) Al Farabi, Oujda, between January and March 2020. Among 182 patients hospitalized, 34% (n= 65) had diabetic foot lesions, mostly among type 2 diabetics (86%). The mean age was 62.1 ± 7.7 years, with an average diabetes duration of 13.7 years. Major risk factors included hypertension (42%) p<0.0001, smoking (71%)P<0.0012, and obesity (42%) p<0.001. Mycotic infection was the primary cause of the foot lesion (n = 29; 44.61%) p<0.001, followed by wearing inappropriate footwear (n = 21; 32.30%) p<0.003 and cuts and burns that were not felt (n = 15; 23.07%) p<0.004. In 61.53% of cases, the patient consults at the gangrene stage. Other lesions found include phlegmon 3%, ischaemic ulcer 4%, pyodermatitis 8%, poor plantar perforation 11%, and ischaemic necrosis 12.5 %. Only 40% of patients had knowledge of diabetic foot prevention despite attending education sessions. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved diabetic education and early intervention strategies.</p>