Epidemiology and outcomes of 655 diabetic foot patients in a Brazilian university hospital

Results Sixty seven percent (442) were males; the age ranged from 21 to 102 years (median 63 years). Arterial ischemia was present in 28% of the patients. Among these diabetic patients 73% had hypertension and 30% were active smokers. The in-hospital mortality rate was 12%, and there was no statistically difference between patients with ischemic and non-ischemic lesions (P=0.16). Of the 576 patients alive, 61% were not readmitted, 21% were readmitted once and 18% were readmitted twice or more times. The minor amputation rate was 48% while major amputations were performed in 21% of the subjects (28% below the knee amputation and 72% above the knee amputation). The major amputation free survival rate was 72%. After discharge 47% of the patients required special home-care for dressings and for parenteral drug administration. Independent risk factor for amputation were age (OR: 1.02; 95%CI: 1.0011.035; P=0.041) and arterial ischemia (OR 2.20; 95%CI 1.46-3.31; P<0.0001). Independent risk factors for death were age (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.03 – 1.08; P<0.01) and major amputations (OR 2.38; 95% CI 1.41 – 3.99; P=0.01).