This study investigates factors which influence whether patient with type 2 diabetes who have a serious leg ulcer will require an amputation.

Methods:

The sample was taken from a major teaching hospital in the Southern region of Taiwan. A total of 191 patients participated in the study, the average age of the sample was 65.33 years, the average age of male is 63.5 years and 67.4 years of female. Data were collected by review of medical records, including age, gender, years with diabetes, HbA1C, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), blood pressure, lipids and smoking history. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 10.0 and statistical methods include Chi-square tests and t-tests.

Results:

Of the 61.3% patients who received an amputation, 48.7% were male with amputation, and 51.3% were female with amputation. There was a statistically significant association between amputation and PVD with infection(P<0.001). The need for amputation was higher for patients who experienced PVD with infection.

Conclusions:

From the results it was suggested that cleaning wound using antibiotics and preventative by-pass surgery for PVD could have positive impacts on diabetic foot care.