Sociodemographic and clinical characterization of patients with diabetic foot treated at the Erasmo Meoz University Hospital, Cúcuta, Norte de Santander in the period January-June 2025

Abstract

Diabetic foot is a complication of diabetes mellitus associated with infections and other chronic complications. This condition results from the interaction between peripheral neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, and precipitating factors. The objective was to determine the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with diabetic foot treated at Erasmo Meoz University Hospital between January and June 2025. A descriptive, cross-sectional observational study was conducted on ninety-six patients. Data collection was performed using a questionnaire modified by the researchers. The Saint Elian classification was used to identify ulcer severity, and the Edinburgh questionnaire was used to assess intermittent claudication. The prevalence of hospital admissions due to diabetic foot among all diabetic complications was 40.16%. Males predominated (57.29%), with an average age of 64.3 years. The sample had a low educational level (47.92% with elementary school education or less). 81.25% of lesions were classified as moderate according to Saint Elian. The most common triggering factors were spontaneous onset (38.54%) and trauma (35.42%). 87.01% of ulcers tested positive for infection, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the most common (18.8%). On the Edinburgh questionnaire, 22.9% reported typical intermittent claudication. It is concluded that the sample primarily presented with moderate-severity ulcers, which were linked to limited resources and a lack of knowledge about the disease among the study population, thereby increasing the frequency of infections and the need for surgical interventions.