The problem of classification and organization of medical care for diabetic patients with different forms of ulcerative-necrotic lesions of lower extremities

Abstract

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at risk of development of both diabetic foot syndrome and ulcers on the lower legs due to chronic venous insufficiency and other factors. The main group in this study was comprised of diabetic patients with ulcers of different etiology (venous, post-traumatic, mixed) treated at the Diabetic Foot Cabinet during 5 years (n=101). The group of comparison included simultaneously treated patients with diabetic foot syndrome (n=721). Patients of the main group was dominated by women (71%) and patients with type 2 DM. Ulcer healingdue to the treatment, persistent non-healing ulcers, and high-level amputations occurred equally often in the two groups: 60 and 58%, 18 and 15%, 4 and 5% respectively (р>0,05). Lower leg ulcers in DM are very persistent and constitute a serious medico-social problem to be addresses based at Diabetic Foot cabinets. The frequency of such ulcers and related amputations must be taken into consideration in epidemiological surveys.