Epidemiological Factors, Comorbidities, and Treatment Outcomes of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mumbai, India (2021–2024)

Abstract

Foot complications are serious consequences of diabetes mellitus and pose substantial medical and economic burdens. This study was conducted to evaluate the association of epidemiological factors, comorbidities, and complications with diabetic foot ulcers and treatment outcomes among patients who presented to Jagjivan Ram Railway Hospital, Mumbai, from January 2021 to December 2024. A total of 1,863 patients aged 18 years and above with peripheral complications of diabetes were selected from the medical and surgical wards and outpatient departments during the study period. Data were collected from medical records, examined, and systematically analysed in relation to risk factors such as age, gender, and associated complications. The results showed that males had a higher occurrence of peripheral complications of diabetes than females; however, there was no significant association between gender and the treatment outcome of diabetic foot ulcers. Associated complications, including peripheral neuropathy, atherosclerosis, and peripheral vascular disease, showed a significant association with treatment outcome (OR 2.01) [Table 4]. Patients without comorbidities had better treatment outcomes than those with complications. Age was also significantly associated with treatment outcome; patients older than 60 years had poorer outcomes than patients aged 60 years or below (OR 1.63, p < 0.001) [Table 6]. These findings support early risk stratification, multidisciplinary care, and intensified monitoring to reduce poor outcomes among patients with diabetic foot ulcers.