PREVALENCE OF PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS IN GENERAL OUTPATIENT SETTING OF CMH / PEMH RAWALPINDI: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: To assess the frequency of peripheral vascular disease, and its determinants in diabetic foot ulcers

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from January to December 2024. Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients aged 18 years or older presenting with foot ulcers were included in the study. The data were collected on basic demographic characteristics and clinical parameters. The Ankle Brachial Index was used to establish peripheral vascular disease (arterial). The primary variable was frequency of peripheral vascular disease.  The data was analysed using SPSS version 25.0

Results: This study included n=264 patients with a median age of 60.00 (46.00-68.00) years. There were 170 (64.39%) males and 94 (35.61%) females. Only 57 (21.59%) patients had peripheral vascular disease. A significantly higher proportion of females was observed in the peripheral vascular disease group (50.9% vs. 31.4%; p = 0.007). Glycaemic control was significantly poorer among patients with peripheral vascular disease (p < 0.001), median total cholesterol was higher (4.60 vs. 2.90 mg/dL; p < 0.001) and median serum triglyceride levels were also elevated (3.80 vs. 2.90 mg/dL; p < 0.001). Additionally, hypertension and coronary artery disease was more common in the peripheral vascular disease group (p < 0.001 and p=0.012).

Conclusion: The peripheral vascular disease is more frequent (21.59%) complication in diabetic foot ulcers and is associated with dyslipidaemia, metabolic diseases and female gender.