Risk stratification of Diabetic foot ulcers among the Patients with Diabetes mellitus at a Tertiary care Hospital

Back ground: Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the serious complications of diabetes mellitus, which accounts for more than 85 % of non-traumatic lower extremity amputations. This study aims to stratify the level of risk for diabetic foot ulcer and to find out the factors associated with the level of risk for foot ulcer among the patients with diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: Descriptive cross sectional design was used in this study. Convenience sampling technique was used to select 250 diabetic patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria. Back ground variables of the patients were collected using a socio demographic and clinical variables data sheet. Stratification of foot ulcer risk was done using Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) risk stratification system. Results: Among the 250 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 63 (25.2%) had neuropathy, 76 (30.4%) had foot deformities, 9 (3.6%) had absent foot pulses, 40 (16%) had previous foot ulcers and 6 (2.4%) were unable to see the foot. Using the risk stratification tool, 104 (41.6%) patients were categorized into the low-risk group for foot ulcer, 96 (38.4%) patients into the moderate risk group and 50 (20%) into the high risk group for foot ulcer. Age was found to be significantly associated with the level of risk for diabetic foot ulcer. (P: 0.001). Conclusions: One fifth of the patients were categorised as high risk for the development of a foot ulcer. Screening programmes should be instituted to detect these patients earlier so that future complications can be prevented.