SHBC1512

J.SU¹, J.S. LEE¹, L.J.GOH¹, X.J.ZHU¹ 

NHG Polyclinics¹ 

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) as the leading cause of lower limb amputation is one of the most detrimental complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Effective treatment and formulation of prevention guidelines for DFU require a thorough understanding of characteristics of DFU patients and their ulcers, particularly onset DFUs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of new onset DFUs in a primary care.

From March to October 2019, data of 61 patients who visited a primary care setting for onset DFU care were reviewed retrospectively and they were regularly followed on healing outcomes for 3-months. Descriptive analysis was performed.

61 patients with onset DFUs were included. Of which, 62.3% were male; mean age was 69.5 ± 10.4 years; mean duration of DM was 16.4 ± 12.1 years; 64% of patients had HbA1C>7%; 64% of them were prescribed oral antibiotics for management of infected DFUs on the initial visit; 8% of them were referred to emergency department for urgent DFU treatment. Of 61 onset DFUs, toe ulcers (59%) were the most common DFU while 14.8% located on plantar, 13.1% on heels and 13.1% at dorsum of foot. 50.8% of DFUs healed, 1.6% underwent minor amputation and no major amputation within 3 months.

Onset DFU is most likely to develop in elderly diabetic patients with a long duration of DM and suboptimal DM control. Infected DFU and high percentage of toe ulcer are the main concerns which potentially emphasize the importance of patient education on self-care for DFU prevention.