Author:
Cheng Stephanie,Poh Benjamin Rui-Min,Tay Vivyan Wei Yen,Lee Piea Peng,Mathur Sachin
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a worldwide pandemic affecting 500 million people. It is known to be associated with increased susceptibility to soft tissue infections (STI). Despite being a major public health burden, the literature relating the effects of DM and the presentation, severity and healing of STIs in general surgical patients remain limited.
Method
We conducted a retrospective review of all patients admitted with STI in a tertiary teaching hospital over a 12-month period. Patient demographics and surgical outcomes were collected and analysed.
Results
During the study period, 1059 patients were admitted for STIs (88% required surgery). DM was an independent risk factor for LOS. Diabetic patients presented with higher body-mass index (28 vs. 26), larger abscess size (24 vs. 14 cm2) and had a longer length of stay (4.4 days vs. 2.9 days). They also underwent a higher proportion of wide debridement and application of negative pressure wound therapy (42% vs. 35%). More diabetic patients underwent subsequent re-operation within the same sitting (8 vs. 4). Diabetic patients were two times more likely to present with carbuncles (p = 0.02).
Conclusion
The incidence of STIs among DM patients represent a significant disease burden, surgeons should consider intensive patient counselling and partnering with primary care providers in order to help reduce the incidence of future STI admissions based upon lifestyle modification and glucose control.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Reference22 articles.
1. Federation ID. (2021). IDF DM Atlas Eighth edition 2017. International DM Federation. IDF DM Atlas, 8th edn. Brussels, Belgium: International DM Federation; 2017.
2. Shaw JE, Sicree RA, Zimmet PZ. Global estimates of the prevalence of diabetes for 2010 and 2030. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2010;87(1):4–14.
3. DM and peripheral vascular disease, Huysman E. C Mathieu Acta Chir Belg. 2009;109:587–94.
4. Berbudi A, Rahmadika N, Tjahjadi AI, Ruslami R. Type 2 DM and its impact on the immune system. Curr DM Reviews. 2020;16(5):442.
5. de Macedo GMC, Nunes S, Barreto T. Skin disorders in DM mellitus: an epidemiology and physiopathology review. Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2016;8(1):1–8.