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. 2024 Jun;17(2):e12024.
doi: 10.1002/jfa2.12024.

Predictors of operative management in diabetic foot ulcers

Amos Au  1 , Erwin Yii  2 , Ana Andric  3 , Jennifer Wong  4 , Alan Saunder  1   5 , Ming Yii  1   5
Affiliations

Predictors of operative management in diabetic foot ulcers

Amos Au et al. J Foot Ankle Res. 2024 Jun.

Abstract

Background & aims: Surgery plays a key role in the management of complicated diabetic foot disease (DFD). Currently, indications for medical versus surgical management are poorly defined. Prompt identification of patients who require surgery may reduce morbidities and length of hospital stay. This study aims to analyse factors in DFD that necessitate early surgical interventions.

Methods: All patients admitted under a multi-disciplinary diabetic foot team in a tertiary institution over 2 years were included in a retrospective case-control study comparing patients who received medical management and patients who received surgical management. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with surgical management of diabetic foot complications.

Results: Three hundred and forty patients were included. 49% of patients required surgical management. Toe ulceration, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), and the presence of osteomyelitis were associated with surgical management. Multivariate analysis calculated an odds ratio (OR) of 1.01 for CRP (p < 0.001), OR 2.19 (p < 0.019) favouring surgical management for forefoot ulcers, and OR 2.2 (p < 0.019) if osteomyelitis was present.

Conclusions: Patients with elevated CRP levels, a forefoot diabetic ulcer and established osteomyelitis were more likely to undergo surgical management. Prompt recognition of these patients has the potential benefit of earlier decision making in definitive surgical interventions.

Keywords: CRP; amputation; diabetic foot complications; diabetic foot infection/ulcer; osteomyelitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

No conflicts of interests, no monetary gains to declare.

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