DIABETIC FOOT: SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL PROFILE OF HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetic foot is one of the complications caused by diabetes. It is clinically characterized as an infection, ulceration and/or deep tissue destruction associated with neuropathy with or without concurrent peripheral vascular disease. Objective: To present the sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients admitted for treatment of diabetic foot. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between January and June 2014 in the Hospital Alberto Rassi (HGG) in the city of Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. Patients admitted for diabetic foot treatment were interviewed, with the use of a data form. Results: The sample consisted of 42 individuals, with no gender predominance. The mean age was 62.1 years, with a predominance of married (66.7%) and retirees (52.4%). As for family history, most of the participants had diabetes (76.2%) and hypertension (78.6%), which was the most common comorbidity among study subjects. Neuropathy (69.0%) and vasculopathy (64.3%) were the most prevalent complications from diabetes. The cause of diabetic foot was mostly non-traumatic (52.4%), with the presence of ulcers without associated infection (59.5%). Regarding Wagner’s classification, 61.9% of the injuries were categorized into Grade 4. Conclusion: Foot wounds were severe, with long evolution, suggesting the need for health education with a focus on prevention and self-care. DESCRIPTORS: Diabetic Foot. Hospitalization. Cross-sectional Studies.