Hospital burden, amputation risk, and mortality trends in diabetic foot patients: a retrospective public health analysis.

BACKGROUND

Diabetic foot disease remains one of the leading preventable causes of hospitalization, limb loss, and premature mortality. It is important to understand temporal changes in disease severity and outcomes in order to establish gaps in prevention and acute management. The present study reported on the hospital burden, amputation patterns, and mortality trends of diabetic foot patients over a decade.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of 500 patients admitted for diabetic foot complications from 2015 to 2024. The records were reviewed for demographic profile, ulcer grade, severity of infection, co-morbidities, length of stay, surgical interventions, and mortality. The amputation was classified into minor or major, while mortality was analyzed at two stages: during hospitalization and within 30 days. Annual trends were studied to assess the changes in clinical presentation and outcomes.

RESULTS

Diabetic foot complication admissions gradually increased year by year, with later years recording more severe grades of ulcers and high infection burden. Major amputations formed a consistent proportion of the surgical cases, though a slight decline was recorded after 2021. Overall mortality remained similar throughout the study period but was higher among those presenting with sepsis, advanced peripheral arterial disease, or chronic renal impairment. The hospital burden remained high, reflected in prolonged lengths of stay and multiple readmissions.

CONCLUSION

The 10-year pattern demonstrates persistent clinical severity at presentation, continued reliance on major amputations, and stable but meaningful mortality in diabetic foot patients. The findings stress the need for stronger preventive care, earlier referral, and community-level screening strategies to reduce advanced disease and improve survival.