Evaluation of Role of Vasculopathy versus Neuropathy in the Causation of Diabetic Foot

Veeraj. V. Kalburgi^1,

¹Department of Cardiology, Khaja Bandanawaz Institute of Medical Sciences, Gulbarga-585104, Karnataka, India.

Cite this paper:
Veeraj. V. Kalburgi. Evaluation of Role of Vasculopathy versus Neuropathy in the Causation of Diabetic Foot. International Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2019; 7(3):63-77. doi: 10.12691/ijcdr-7-3-2

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the role of vasculopathy versus neuropathy in the causation of diabetic foot. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study conducted at a tertiary-care center in India. A total of 50 patients with diabetic foot ulcers admitted to hospital between March 2003 and February 2005 were included in the study. Fasting blood sugar and postprandial blood sugar levels were collected and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) was evaluated from all the patients. Results: In this study, majority of patients (40%) belonged to the age group of 50-60 years. There was male predominance in occurrence of diabetic foot. Twenty-six (52%), three (6%), and 21 (42%) patients had neuropathy, vasculopathy and both vasculopathy and neuropathy, respectively. Fifteen patients underwent amputations in diabetic foot. Forty-two (84%) patients had uncontrolled HbA1C and majority of patients have uncontrolled fasting blood glucose level (>130 mg/dl) by the time they presented with diabetic foot complications. Infection was observed in 20 (40%) patients which played a crucial role in development of diabetic foot. Conclusion: Neuropathy has a predominant role in causing diabetic foot lesions compared to vasculopathy. This study supports the need of using a standardized non-invasive examination of neuropathy and vasculopathy in diabetic clinics.

Keywords:
Diabetic foot; diabetic neuropathy; foot ulcer; peripheral vascular disease; vasculopathy

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