BackgroundIndividuals with longstanding type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have a significantly higher risk for infection caused by immune dysfunction, resulting in sepsis continuum (sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock) if not adequately addressed. In sepsis, organ dysfunction occurs because the host's response to infection is impaired, more so in severe sepsis. In septic shock, persistent hypotension happens, requiring vasopressors despite aggressive fluid management. The internal medicine (IM) ward plays a critical part in managing patients with sepsis. However, the prevalence of sepsis has been investigated extensively in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting instead of the IM ward. This study aimed to determine the prevalence rates of sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock in patients with T2DM admitted at an IM ward in Samoa. MethodsThis retrospective hospital record-based study was conducted over four months on 100 patients with T2DM admitted to the IM ward within the sepsis continuum. Participants were selected by convenience sampling, and the diagnosis was determined from the admission notes. ResultsThe prevalence rates of sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock in patients with T2DM admitted to the IM ward were 80%, 12%, and 8%, respectively. ConclusionThe most frequent presentation in individuals with T2DM who are within the sepsis continuum upon admission to the IM ward was sepsis, followed by severe sepsis and septic shock.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading chronic conditions worldwide. One of its most debilitating complications is diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), which appear to have an increased incidence in the Pacific Islands. However, this report has not been studied extensively in Samoa. Nevertheless, DFUs may be prevented through strict glycemic control by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level monitoring.Objective: This study aimed to identify a specific cutoff point for HbA1C to reduce the occurrence of DFUs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) admitted to an internal medicine ward in Samoa. Increased HbA1c levels are hypothesized to be strongly associated with DFU development.Methods: A retrospective unmatched case-control study examined 100 patients with T2DM (50 patients with DFUs [case] and 50 patients without DFUs [control]) over four months. Participants were selected by convenience sampling.Results: The HbA1c results were available in 32 cases and 29 controls. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the area under the curve was 51% (95% CI, 36%-66%; standard error, 0.075; P = 0.8966), and no cutoff point could be established. Conclusion:The HbA1c is not an ideal test to readily predict DFUs in patients with T2DM.