Epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of diabetic foot ulcer among patients with diabetes in Afghanistan: An IDF supported initiative.

AIM: The aim is to illustrate epidemiological and clinical characteristics of diabetic patients with foot ulcer (DFU) in Kabul diabetic medical center (KDMC), Afghanistan.

METHOD: It is a descriptive study explaining the characteristics of diabetic patients with DFU admitted to KDMC, between 1/9/2019 to 31/8/2020 which is a center for management of diabetic patients including DFU. The university of Texas diabetic classification for DFU was used.

RESULTS

Totally 3159 patients admitted to KMDC of whom 47.4% were females and 96.7% type 2 diabetes. The proportion of DFU was 9.2%. The patients' mean age was 55.4 ± 10.6 years and 78% were coming from Kabul. Prevalence of smoking and snuff use were 8.6% and 5.6% respectively. Majority of females 93% were housewives. The duration of diabetes was 5-19 years. Almost two-third were under glycaemia and HbA1c control and 9.2% had history of amputation. The common symptoms were burning, aching, numbness and tingling. The most common cause of DFU was both neuropathy and arteriopathy. After treatment 16% were referred for orthopedic procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

DFU affects almost one-tenth of diabetics while a significant number of patients attend at late stage requiring orthopedic treatment. Monitoring of diabetic patients to prevent DFU is important is recommended.