Risk Factors and Prevalence of Diabetic Foot Problems for Ulceration in Adult Type 2 Diabetes Patients Attending a Diabetic Clinic at a Tertiary Centre in Muzaffarpur

Aim: The main objective of the study is to determine risk factors and prevalence of diabetic foot problems for ulceration in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) attending a diabetic clinic at a tertiary care in Muzaffarpur. Method: This descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study was carried out in the tertiary private diabetic clinic at Muzaffarpur in North Bihar. 238 T2DM patients were examined of which 91 was reported as diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). By using a pre-tested structured questionnaire Patients were interviewed to document clinical history and by using SPSS 16.0 software all Statistical analysis was performed. By monofilament testing and vibration sensation testing Neurological evaluation of the feet was done and by checking dorsalis pedis and posterior tibialis pulses peripheral arterial occlusive disease was assessed. Result: Mean duration of diabetes was 6.7± 2 years and mean age of participants was 49.6± 11.4 years. Regarding risk of ulceration at foot, 30 (32.9%) had absent foot pulses in either foot, 19 (21.3%) had absent vibration sense at the first metatarsal head of either foot while 30 (31.6%) had monofilament defined neuropathy. Significantly more people who had had who had long duration of diabetes than comparatively newer ones (12.2 ± 8.1 vs 7.9 ± 6.2, p = 0.002), absent vibration sense (51.0% vs 7.9%, p = 0.000031) and absent pedal pulses (68.2% vs 18.7%, p = 000019) had neuropathy. Conclusion: A high prevalence of foot ulcers was confirmed among North Bihar rural diabetic patients. To enable early identification of DFU and timeous management, there should be routine assessment of foot at risk of ulceration in diabetic clinics. Duration of diabetes, age, blood sugar levels and rural location were identified as important risk factors