BackgroundStudies on diabetic foot and its complications involving a significant and representative sample of patients in South American countries are scarce. The main objective of this study was to acquire clinical and epidemiological data on a large cohort of diabetic patients from 19 centers from Brazil and focus on factors that could be associated with the risk of ulcer and amputation.MethodsThis study presents cross sectional, baseline results of the BRAZUPA Study. A total of 1455 patients were included. Parameters recorded included age, gender, ethnicity, diabetes and comorbidity-related records, previous ulcer or amputation, clinical symptomatic score, foot classification and microvascular complications.ResultsPatients with ulcer had longer disease duration (17.2 ± 9.9 vs. 13.2 ± 9.4 years; p < 0.001), and poorer glycemic control (HbA1c 9.23 ± 2.03 vs. 8.35 ± 1.99; p < 0.001). Independent risk factors for ulcer were male gender (OR 1.71; 95 % CI 1.2–3.7), smoking (OR 1.78; 95 % CI 1.09–2.89), neuroischemic foot (OR 20.34; 95 % CI 9.31–44.38), region of origin (higher risk for those from developed regions, OR 2.39; 95 % CI 1.47–3.87), presence of retinopathy (OR 1.68; 95 % CI 1.08–2.62) and absence of vibratory sensation (OR 7.95; 95 % CI 4.65–13.59). Risk factors for amputation were male gender (OR 2.12; 95 % CI 1.2–3.73), type 2 diabetes (OR 3.33; 95 % CI 1.01–11.1), foot at risk classification (higher risk for ischemic foot, OR 19.63; 95 % CI 3.43–112.5), hypertension (lower risk, OR 0.3; 95 % CI 0.14–0.63), region of origin (South/Southeast, OR 2.2; 95 % CI 1.1–4.42), previous history of ulcer (OR 9.66; 95 % CI 4.67–19.98) and altered vibratory sensation (OR 3.46; 95 % CI 1.64–7.33). There was no association between either outcome and ethnicity.ConclusionsUlcer and amputation rates were high. Age at presentation was low and patients with ulcer presented a higher prevalence of neuropathy compared to ischemic foot at risk. Ischemic disease was more associated with amputations. Ethnical differences were not of great importance in a miscegenated population.

The aim of this study was to identify and quantify risk factors for amputation in diabetic patients hospitalized for foot infections. This cross-sectional study comprised 100 patients with diabetic infectious complications in the lower limbs. The variables investigated were related to diabetes, infection, and treatment compliance. Multiple Cox regression analysis was performed to identify the variables independently associated with the outcome of amputation. The most prevalent chronic complications were neuropathy and hypertension. Most patients presented with a neuroischemic foot (86%). The Morisky test showed that 72% were not compliant with diabetes treatment. Regarding patient outcome, 61% progressed to amputation, 14% to debridement, and 9% to revascularization. The results showed a 42% higher risk for progression to amputation in patients with previous use of antimicrobials. Also, the amputation risk was 26% higher for those less compliant with diabetes treatment. An increase of one point in the Wagner ulcer classification criteria corresponded to a 65% increase in the risk of amputation. Undergoing conservative, nonsurgical procedures prior to admission provided a 63% reduction in the risk of amputation. Knowledge of these factors is critical to enable multidisciplinary teams to develop treatment plans for these patients so as to prevent the need for amputation.

Many factors can interfere with glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and this patient group has an increased risk of experiencing drug-related negative outcomes (DNO). The aim of this study was to identify the predictive factors of unsatisfactory glycemic control and DNO in this group of patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted collecting data from prescriptions and interviews with 100 patients of the Endocrinology Clinic of the Hospital Complex of Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil. Variables associated with unsatisfactory glycemic control were determined and the DNO associated with antidiabetic drugs identified. Age (<65 years) (OR=4.09), family history of diabetes (OR=3.24), use of combined therapy to treat diabetes (2-4 antidiabetic drugs) (OR=5.13) and presence of DNO (OR=5.92) were found to be predictive factors for poor patient glycemic control. DNO were observed in 49% of the patients and were caused predominantly by ineffectiveness in patients with poor glycemic control (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between groups (satisfactory and unsatisfactory glycemic control) for DNO caused by safety issues (p>0.05). Characterization of the profile of patients with uncontrolled diabetes and of aspects associated with drug treatment can contribute to the planning of interventions to improve patient care.Uniterms: Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. Type 2 Diabetes mellitus/study/drugs use. Pharmaceutical care. Drug-related negative outcomes.

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