Critical limb ischaemia may independently predict hospital readmission among patients with diabetic foot ulcer

Written By : Dr. Shravani Dali |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2023-10-30T17:30:00+05:30 | Updated On 31 Oct 2023 10:16 AM IST

Critical limb ischaemia independent predictor of hospital readmission among patients with diabetic foot ulcer suggests a new study published in The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the rate of readmission in patients affected by diabetes and foot ulcers (DFUs), and causes and outcomes of patients requiring a new hospitalization. The current study is a retrospective observational study including patients who have required hospitalization since January 2019 to September 2022 due to a DFU. Once patients were discharged, they were regularly followed as outpatients. Within 6 months of follow-up, the rate of hospital readmission for a diabetic foot problem was recorded. According to the readmission or not, patients were divided into 2 groups, readmitted and not readmitted patients, respectively. Hence, all patients were followed for 6 months more and outcomes of the 2 groups were analyzed and compared.

Overall, 310 patients were included. The mean age was 68 ± 12 years, the majority of patients reported type 2 diabetes (>90%), and the mean diabetes duration was approximately 20 years. Sixty-eight (21.9%) patients were readmitted. The main reason for hospital readmission was the presence of critical limb ischemia (CLI) in the contralateral limb (6.1%), the recurrence of CLI in the previous treated limb (4.5%), and the onset of new infected DFU in the contralateral foot (4.5%). Readmitted patients reported lower rate of healing (51.5% vs 89.2%, P < .0001) and higher rate of major amputation (10.3% vs 4.5%, P = .2) in comparison to not readmitted patients.

Critical limb ischemia resulted in the only independent predictor of hospital readmission. Hospital readmission is a frequent issue among patients with DFUs, and readmitted patients showed a lower chance of wound healing. Critical limb ischemia resulted in the main cause of new hospitalization.

Reference:

Meloni M, Andreadi A, Ruotolo V, et al. Hospital Readmission in Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Prevalence, Causes, and Outcomes. The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds. 2023;0(0). doi:10.1177/15347346231207747

Keywords:

Critical limb, ischaemia, independent, predictor, hospital, readmission, among, patients, diabetic foot ulcer, Meloni M, Andreadi A, Ruotolo V, The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds

Critical limbischaemiaindependentpredictorhospitalreadmissionamongpatientsdiabetic foot ulcerThe International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds

Source : The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds

Dr. Shravani Dali

Dr. Shravani Dali has completed her BDS from Pravara institute of medical sciences, loni. Following which she extensively worked in the healthcare sector for 2+ years. She has been actively involved in writing blogs in field of health and wellness. Currently she is pursuing her Masters of public health-health administration from Tata institute of social sciences. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751