Clinical characteristics of 61 diabetic foot patients

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of diabetic foot in our hospital.Methods Diabetic patients with foot problems and/or peripher alartery diseases were surveyed from September,1999 to December,2007 in our hospital,including demographic data,present and past history of the foot and peripher alartery diseases,the classification and phases of the foot ulcers based on the Wagner system,control of the hyperglycemia and lipid disorder,medical cost in hospital and the diabetic comp lications and relativerisk factors.Results In the study,61 diabetic patients with foot problems were analyzed.In diabetic foot group,male had more diabetic food than female,foot problems most frequently occurred in the elderly diabetic patients with long duration,lower educational level.Ulcers were complicated with infection.The average direct medical cost in hospital for the diabetic patients with foot problems was RMB 7085 yuan.Conclusions Foot problems markedly increase the medical cost of the diabetic patients.The elderly diabetic men' s patients with long duration,lower educational level,restrict control of diet and should be paid more attention on intensifying foot care and preventing education of foot problems. Key words: Diabetic foot; Health education