This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Ogbera, O. A. Articles by Chukwum, E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Ogbera, O. A. Articles by Chukwum, E. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Common Clinical Features of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Perspectives From a Developing Nation

Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, oogbera{at}yahoo.co.uk

Eregie Osa, MBBS, FMCP

Department of Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo state

Andrew Edo, MBBS, FMCP

Department of Medicine, Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Delta State

Ekebegh Chukwum, MBBS, FMCP

Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria

Foot ulceration is a prominent cause of diabetes mellitus morbidity and mortality in developing countries. This is an observational study in which 47 consecutive diabetes mellitus patients with foot ulcers were studied over a 2-year period. Each patient's medical history, physical examination findings, and hematological and radiological features were documented. The mean age of the patients was 56 (11) years. The majority of the patients (40, 85%) had type 2 diabetes mellitus; 25% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were diagnosed when they presented with foot ulceration. Grades 2 and 3 Wagner lesions were the most frequently noted grades of foot ulceration. The risk factors/precipitants of foot ulceration included neuropathy, vasculopathy, spontaneous blisters, walking unshod, and wearing inadequate shoes. Prominent hematologic abnormalities included anemia and leucocytosis. Diabetes mellitus foot ulceration often occurs in middle-aged Nigerians with diabetes mellitus, and this diabetes mellitus complication may be present at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subcutaneous emphysema, osteolysis, and soft tissue swelling are often documented radiological features of DFU in our patients.

Key Words: diabetic foot ulceration • anemia • osteolysis • peripheral vascular disease

The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, Vol. 7, No. 2, 93-98 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1534734608318236


CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?