The most common and devastating complication of diabetes mellitus that affect the lower extremities among people with diabetes is a diabetic feet ulcer. Diabetic foot ulcer increases develop multiple risk factors like foot infections, prolonged healing time, poor quality of life, gangrene, and lower limb non-traumatic amputations. Worldwide, the incidence and magnitude of diabetic foot ulcer rapidly increase since the diabetes disease dramatically increased and it reached an epidemic level. However, there is limited evidence on the occurrence of foot ulcer and influencing factors in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area.
The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and associated factors of diabetic foot ulcer among diabetic patients who attended the diabetic follow-up clinics at Gamo and Gofa zones, Southern Ethiopia.
A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in public hospitals found in Gamo and Gofa zones, Ethiopia. Simple random sampling was used to select 325 study participants. All patients diagnosed with diabetic mellitus were included in the study. Data was collected by six trained data collectors using pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaires. Physical examination and patient medical record was reviewed. Data was checked, cleaned, coded and entered into EPI-INFO version 7 and then exported to SPSS for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent factors associated with a diabetic foot ulcer and statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was made to estimate the independent effect of predictors on the occurrence of diabetic foot ulcer.
The magnitude of diabetic foot ulcer was 15.5% [95% CI: 11.94-19.83]. In final multivariable logistic regression model, being male [AOR = 3.04 p: 0.038], presence of peripheral neuropathy [AOR = 4.48, p: 0.001], vision impairment [AOR = 2.90, p: 0.04], duration of diabetic mellitus illness [AOR = 1.91, p: 0.034], deformity [AOR = 9.1, p: 0.001], sensory lost to vibration [AOR = 3.89, p: 0.003], foot pedal pulse [AOR = 3.74, p: 0.004], glycemic control [AOR = 4.16, p: 0.01], ill-fitting shoe [AOR = 2.6, p: 0.03] and foot self-care practice [AOR = 3.42, p: 0.017] were found to have a negative significant association with diabetic foot ulcer.
The study showed a high magnitude of diabetic foot ulcer among people with diabetes attending diabetic follow-up clinics at Gamo and Gofa zones. The presence of peripheral neuropathy, sensory loss to vibration, absence of pedal pulse, foot deformity, and poor glycemic control, visional impairment, duration of diabetic mellitus, use of ill-fitting shoe and foot self-care practice was significantly associated with the development of diabetic foot ulcer.
Diabetes, Foot ulcer, Ethiopia
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease, which results from either failure of insulin production/insufficient production or resistance for its action on peripheral tissues [1]. It is mainly characterized by hyperglycemia. Persistence hyperglycemia condition has toxics effect on body systems, which leads to peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, increased risk of infection and poor wound healing [2].
Diabetes is a serious health problem that needs special attention in the twenty-first century. According to International Diabetic Federation [3], it is estimated that 425 million people living with this condition globally and this number would be projected to 642 million in 2040. Indeed, nearly 80% of people with diabetic live in low and middle-income countries [3].
The most common and devastating complication affecting the low extremities among people with diabetes are diabetic foot ulcer. It is defined as any ulceration, necrosis, gangrene, or full thickness skin defect occurring distal to the ankle in a diabetic patient [4]. Diabetic foot ulcer occurred on 15% of patients with diabetes during their lifespan [5]. Approximately more than half of the recent onset of diabetic foot ulcer became infected. Twenty percent of the infected foot ended up amputated [6,7].
Most of the non-traumatic low extremities amputated in relation to people with diabetes are preceded by a diabetic foot ulcer [8,9]. The probability to develop diabetic foot ulcer on the second leg increased by half within 2 years among. In addition, the recurrence of diabetic foot ulcer is higher within five years [10].
Amputations can lead to long-term changes in patients' mobility, living conditions and relationships. They can substantially reduce the quality of life. People with diabetes who had amputated are also at risk of premature death [11,12].
In the sub-Saharan African countries, diabetic foot ulcer was a frequently unfocused health problem. Particular; there is limited evidence on the occurrence of foot ulcer and influencing factors in Ethiopia. This study is, therefore, aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of diabetic foot ulcer among diabetic patients who attended the diabetic follow-up clinics at Gamo and Gofa zones, Southern Ethiopia. The output of this study will complement the available prevention strategies targeted at reducing the occurrence of diabetic foot ulcer and its complications.
Institutional based cross-sectional study design was conducted in diabetic follow-up clinics at Gamo and Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia from January to April 2018. Gamo and Gofa zones are among the zones found in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region. Its administrative center, Arba Minch town, is located 505 KM South West of Addis Ababa. In the zones, there are 7 government hospitals, 21 urban health centers, 52 rural health centers and 471 health posts. Among these health facilities, only three hospitals have diabetic follow-up clinic.
All patients aged above or equal to 18 years that were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, and who attended the diabetic follow-up clinic in Gamo and Gofa zone hospitals during the study period was included in the study. People with diabetes who had traumatic ulcer and those who were severely ill and unable to communicate throughout the study period were excluded from the study.
Sample size was determined by using a single population proportion formula by considering the following assumptions: The proportion of diabetic foot ulcer among people with diabetes whose age > = 18 in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia (TASH) was 26% [13]. The precision 5%; 95% (Zα/2 = 1.96) confidence interval and 10% for non-response. Accordingly, the total sample size was 325. Computer-generated simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants from each hospital. First, diabetic patient care number/registration numbers sorted and used to generate the random numbers. Then, considering these lists as a sampling frame, study participants were selected randomly. The sample size was allocated proportionally based on the previous year's number of diabetic patients at each hospital diabetic follow-up clinics.
Were diagnosed if the patients with a fasting plasma glucose level = > 126 mg/dl or 2 hr post-glucose level after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test = > 200 mg/dl plus suggestive clinical manifestations.
Non-traumatic a (partial or full thickness) skin break from the distal to the malleoli in a person who has diabetes mellitus [14].
Based on Wagner's Classification. Grade zero (intact skin), grade 1 (superficial ulcer), grade 2 (deep ulcer to tendon, bone, or joint), grade 3 (deep ulcer with abscess or osteomyelitis), grade 4 (forefoot gangrene), and grade 5 (whole foot gangrene) [15].
Were defined as the presence of one or more of the following too tight, or too wide, high heel, poor quality or hard leather, or soft insole for patients with DM [16].
There are 12 questions which were be used to assess diabetic foot self-care practice of the patients. Based on the response of the study participants' response, "mean" were be used as a cutoff point to determine above mean level it has "Good foot self care practice" and below mean level as "poor foot self-care practice".
If the three consecutive fasting blood glucose level was between 70-130 mg/dl, it was considered "controlled and above 130 mg/dl uncontrolled or (Good control Or poor control) based [17].
Palpate the posterior tibial artery and dorsalis pedis artery in both feet and record pulsations as absent or present 2/4 [18].
It were diagnosed if the patient had at least one manifestation from the following list of manifestations: Describe sharp, stabbing, burning, shooting or electric shock type pain, which may be worse at night and can disrupt sleep [18].
The absence of Vibration perception by Tuning fork 128 Hz in feet (both left and right feet) [19].
The shoes that have not appropriate with the shape and size of shoe with foot.
Missing three subsequent visits on follow up diabetes clinics.
A Pretested questionnaire was used to collect dates on socio-demographic, clinical and behavioral factors. A Checklist was used to extract data from medical records. A physical examination was performed for each patient to determine peripheral vascular disease and severity of ulcer based on Wagner Ulcer Classification. Weight and height of study participants was measured using standard procedures. Data was collected by six trained BSc nurses and supervised by three health officers who had previous experience of data collections. The collected data was checked for completeness, accuracy, and consistency each day by the investigators.
Data was entered using EPI-INFO version 7 and transferred to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed for variables such as socio-demographic characteristics of clinical factors, behavioral factor, and foot self-care practice. A both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. Variables having p-value ≤ 0.25 in the bivariate analyses was fitted into multivariable logistic regression models to control the effects of confounding. A crude and adjusted odds ratio with their 95% CI was estimated to determine the strength of association. A p-value less than 0.05 in the multivariable analysis was considered to declare statistical significance [20,21].
An ethical clearance was obtained from Institutional Ethical Review Board of Arba Minch University. Written Permission was secured from each medical director of three hospitals in the Gamo and Gofa zone. The purpose of the study was briefly explained to concerned offices, and people with diabetes who visited the clinics. People with Diabetes were asked for their willingness to participate in the study and informing them they could withdraw at any time, for any reason. The data collection process started after oral consent was obtained from respective bodies. Confidentiality was maintained throughout the study by using code number.
Three hundred and twenty three individuals who had diabetic follow-up in three hospitals in Gamo and Gofa zone was involved in the study with the response rate of 99.38%. From total respondents, 205 (63.5%) were males. The mean (SD) age of participants was 50.71 (± 13.93) years. Nearly half (n = 156) of the respondents was Orthodox Christians by religion and 268 (83%) was married. About one in five (22.9%) of the respondents was farmers (Table 1).
Table 1: Socio-demographic characteristics of the study participants in Gamo and Gofa, SNNPR, Ethiopia, March to April 2018 (n = 323). View Table 1
One hundred and eighty six (60.7%) of the respondents diagnosed with diabetes mellitus less than five years ago. The mean (SD) of fasting blood glucose level among diabetic patients was 159.3 (53.9) mg/dl. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure level was 120.6 (12.9) and 77.1 (12.5), respectively. The majority of the study participants (73%) had type two diabetes mellitus. Nearly 18% of the respondents had not had a regular follow up practice and 33% of the respondents did not taken their medication at regular intervals. Two hundred and fifty-three (78.3%) had poor glycemic control. Thirty-two percent of the respondents have had one or more symptoms of the peripheral neuropathic disorder (Table 2).
Table 2: Clinical and diabetic information of the study participants in Gamo and Gofa zones, SNNPR, Ethiopia March-April, 2018 (n = 323). View Table 2
Seventeen (5%) of respondents was smokers of tobacco products at the time of data collection. Regarding alcohol consummation, 90 (27.9%) of the respondent ever used alcohol and 85 (26.3%) of them used alcohol in the past 30 days. The median time spends in physical activities among diabetic individual was 1440 MET-min/week.
Table 3: Bivariat and Multivariable analysis of factors associated with diabetic foot ulcer in Gamo and Gofa Zone, SNNPR 'Ethiopia April-March, 2018 (n = 323). View Table 3
One hundred and thirty seven (42.2%) Study participants did not inspected or monitors their foot health on a daily basis and 227 (70.3%) Respondents did not used skin softeners products. Two hundred and eleven (63.3%) they do not cut their toes short or appropriately. A significant number of the respondents (39%) ever walked on barefoot outside of the home and/or filed. Nearly half of the respondents (52.3%) did not wear special shoes recommended by the physician. More than half of the respondents (55%) never check any injuries in the foot and 123 (38.1%) of the respondents was use ill-fitting shoes.
The magnitude of diabetic foot ulcer was 15.5% [95% CI: 11.9-19.9]. Based on Wagner's classification of severity of ulcer, 92% of the diabetic foot ulcer patients were classified as grade 0 and four presents was grade one and grade two receptively.
In final multiple logistic regression analysis results show that, being male was three (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.06-8.71) time more likely to develop diabetic foot ulcer. Diabetes duration of above ten years was two time more likely to develop diabetic foot ulcer. Sensory loss to vibration by 128 Hz was 3.9 times more likely develop the outcome status. People with Diabetes those who have the symptom of PND four times to develop diabetic foot ulcer. A People who diabetes those who had deformity was significant association of DFU and Absence of pedal pulse, visual Impairment poor glycemic control, wear ill-fitting shoe also associated with diabetic foot ulcer. A people who diabetes who had good Foot self-care practice also associated with DFU. In contrast to this, BMI, skin texture, callus of foot was not significantly associated with DFU in final model.
Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most common and devastating complication of diabetes mellitus. Unless the disease untreated and uncontrolled an eventually the disease will result complete loss vascularity and death of tissue. The consequence of the disease not only affect health also impact on social, psychological and financial crisis. So herein has the important identified the risk factors in the development of foot ulcer and its curial element for the prevention mechanism.
The magnitude of diabetic foot ulcer in our study is 15.5% [95% CI: 20-24]. Which is comparably with studies was conducted Gondar and Arbaminch Ethiopia, the prevalence was 13.6 and 14.8% respectively [22,23]. The result was considerably higher than the studies reported on different countries, its ranges from 3.4%-8.7% [24-30]. This variation is may be due to knowledge related diabetic foot self-care practice, knowledge on disease and also possibly due to disparity on health-seeking behavior and quality of lives among the study population. The current finding was a bit lower than the studies reported from black lion specialized hospital in Ethiopia and Khartoum and Sudan was 18.1% and 26% respectively [13,31]. This could be attributed by difference in the sample size and year of survey and also socio-demographic factors:- majority of the respondents in this study was came from rural area and operational definition.
Severity of DFU, 61% of diabetic foot ulcer were in Wagner's grade 0, grade 1, 2 and 3 were 46 (36%), 0.6% and 0.6% respectively. This is in line with the studies done in black line specialized hospital Ethiopia, grade one was 31.1%, two, three and four was (6.1%, 12.2% and 16.3%) respectively [32]. The study that was done in Jordan show that Grade 0, 1, 2 and 3 (7.3%, 3.4 %, 0.9% and 0.3%) respectively [33].
Males more commonly allied on the development foot ulcer but a few studies were not appreciating these relations [34,35]. However in this study the magnitude of diabetic foot ulcer higher on males, which account 80% and for females 20%. This find in line with the studies done in Jamaica (for male 22.2% and for female 4.2%) and Jordan (for male group 6.3% and for female group 2.6%) [25,33]. And consistent with the studies done in different areas [25,28,33,36]. However, the result of this study was in contrast with finding of case control study in Malaysia (26.6% for males and 43.8% for females) [37]. This is might be due to Male were spent more time in farm area working their job in bare foot that make exposed to injury, additionally males mostly involved in risk activities that make exposed them to injury. On other hand; Skin softener commonly was not using by male rather it used by female. Any situation female was using these products. This has been taking as cultural habit in mostly community of our country. According to this study significant number of males 160 (70.5%) were not use skin softener when compared to female 67 (29.5%). The diabetes impact progress more its affect the skin that become dry that can make individual to rub his/her skin that may lead to skin break that consequence formation of diabetic foot ulcer [38].
The finding of this study illustrate that duration of diabetes, above Ten years 1.9 time more likely to develop diabetic foot ulcer compare to duration less than five years (AOR 1.91, 1.05, 3.49, p = 0.03). This finding in line the studies was conducted in Egypt, Sudan South west of Iran [24,38-41] and also Indonesia [24,39,41,42]. The reason might be, Longer someone with had diabetes mellitus might exposed hyperglycemic condition in his life span and this cumulative glycemic burden had toxic consequence might affect all part of the body including skin and foot. Longstanding hyperglycemia causes a reaction between the glucose and collagen leading to the resultant formation of Advanced Glycation End products (AGE) [43]. The depositions of these AGE's into the Achilles tendon, capsules and ligaments of the foot, creates collagen toughness and inelasticity causing stiffness and rigidity in the foot. This causes limited joint mobility which results in an inability of the foot to function with its two main goals to adapt to terrain and to distribute pressure and there is a relationship between high peak plantar pressures and limited joint mobility.
In the current study, it was found that sensory lost to vibration was a significant risk factor for diabetic foot ulcer. Four time fold as develop of diabetic foot ulcer. (1.61-9.38, p = 0.003) This was consistent with studies was conducted Jordan, Gondar-Ethiopia and Cameroon [23,27,30]. This might be attributed to the fact that patients with sensory lost to vibration leads to loss of protective function and deficits of recognition even the broken glass, burn and repetitive trauma.
In the current study those who have the symptom of Peripheral neuropathy disease 4.48 time more likely to develop diabetic foot ulcer compared to those who lack of peripheral neuropathy disorder (AOR 4.48; 1.81-11.08 p = 0.001). This study is in line with the studies was done in Gondar, Ethiopia and Jordan [23,44]. Regarding to having Impaired Vision were 2.8 times more likely develop diabetic foot ulcer than those who did not have impaired vision [AOR = 2.8; 95% CI; 1.31, 6.37). This find is in line with the study conducted in Ghana [23]. This might be, daily inspection and self-assessment of the foot are one of the earliest identification of a risk and key mechanism of prevention of the development of diabetic foot ulcer. However, the patient with impaired vision often deficit the ability of successfully observes and identifies any abnormality in their foot that lead and exacerbate the occurrence of diabetic foot ulcer.
In the current study, it was found that diabetic foot self-care practice were significant for the prevention of diabetic foot ulcer. Those diabetic patient who had poor foot self-care practice were 3.6 times more likely to develop diabetic foot ulcer than those diabetic patients who had Good foot self-care practice [AOR 3.6; 95% CI 1.60, 8.19). The finding of the present study is comparable to studies conducted in Gonder North West, Ethiopia [23] Dares Salaam, Tanzania; Nairobi and Sudan [31,45,46]. Indeed practice are the mirror image of activate that carry out in daily life. But deficit of daily inspection of the foot, washing and drying between the toe, keeping skin as to as smooth and moist, appropriate wearing of shoes and health seeking behavior may influencing factors of the development of diabetic foot ulcer.
According to this study, having foot deformity 3 times more likely to be develop diabetic foot ulcer when compared to those diabetic patients who had not deformity[AOR = 3; 95% CI 1.48, 6.52]. This finding was also in line with studies was conducted in Egypt, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand showed that direct relationship between deformity and foot ulcer [24,47]. This could be related with in less developing country in including Ethiopia shoes manufacture industry were not consider those who had foot deformity individual. That make diabetic patient enforced to wear the normal shoes that available in market for non-diabetic individual. The abnormal architecture of the foot bone especial prominence part of the foot that faced repetitive stress that forms callus formation that result the development of ulceration on the foot.
In the present study shows that poor glycemic controlled were a significant risk factor for development of diabetic foot ulcer. Those who had poor glycemic control 4.16 time more likely develop diabetic foot ulcer than compared to good glycemic control (AOR 4.16; 95% CI, 1.4-12.3). Similar findings were reported North West Gondar, Ethiopia; Kenya Nairobi and Amman, Jordan [23,24,44,48]. The fact that nearly half of respondents (45%) had implies that there is poor control of blood sugar. It might be poor glycemic control may exposed to persistent hyperglycemic that lead influence all body system including skin that make ulcer formation. Good Control of blood glucose requires a combination of using correct dose of medication, being adherent to treatment and carefully controlling calorie intake and physical activity. However contract the cross sectional study glycemic control were not significant factors for the development of diabetic foot ulcer [24]. Also the current study shows that use of ill-fitting shoes as risk factors of the development of diabetic foot ulcer which were in line with study carry out in Arba Minch, Ethiopia [48]. This it might due to repetitive pressure on the prominence party of foot may forms callus that may increase the chance of development of diabetic foot ulcer and also high chance and frequency of foot injury.
The study showed higher magnitude of diabetic foot ulcer among diabetic patients attending health facilities in Gamo and Gofa zones; when compared with referenced literature. Begin male gender, presence of peripheral neuropaths, sensory lost to vibration, absence of pedal pulse, foot deformity, poor glycemic control, visional Impairment, duration of diabetic mellitus illness, use of ill-fitting shoe and foot self-care practice were significant associated with the development of diabetic foot ulcer. Diabetic care providers should struggle to reduce the occurrence of the unwanted diabetic complication like diabetic foot ulcer, neuropathy disorder and peripheral vascular disease by providing health education and by awareness creation about the impact of diabetes on their own health. Further community based and prospective follow-up studies will be beneficial to identify the clear incidence and prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer and to determine the potential risk factor of diabetic foot ulcer.
Despite filling a gap in the literature in Ethiopia, our study was some limitations.
• There might be recall bias or reporting bias regarding the contributing factors, such as alcohol use or exercise frequency. Further, the cross-sectional nature of the study does not confirm the definitive cause and effect relation.
• Peripheral arterial disease was defined based on the absent pedal pulsation which was assessed by palpation. But IWGD recommended measurement of the ankle brachial pressure indexes it will better (ABPI).
• To check neuropathy it was recommended 10g monofilament with one of the four clinical tests mandatory to increased sensitivity and specific of the measurement tools but on current market monofilament was not available. So I use only 128 Hz tuning fork to assess Neuropathy (sensory lost to vibration).
We declare that we have no conflict of interests.
We would like to pass our gratitude to Arbaminch University for funding this research. We are very grateful to all data collectors, supervisors and study participants for their cooperation and assistance.