Authors: Lynar SA, Robinson CH, Boutlis CS, Commons RJ
Publication: Internal medicine journal
Year: 2019
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30515957

BACKGROUND:

An increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus has led to a high risk of diabetic foot infections (DFI) and associated morbidity. However, little is known about the relationship between DFI and mortality.

AIM:

To investigate the risk of mortality and associated factors in patients with DFI in an Australian context.

METHODS:

A prospective cohort study of inpatients with DFI between May 2012 and October 2016 was done at Royal Darwin Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital for the Top End of the Northern Territory. Primary outcome was 1-year mortality with Cox regression analysis undertaken to assess risk factors for mortality.

RESULTS:

Four hundred and thirteen consecutive adult diabetic patients with 737 admissions were referred to the High-Risk Foot Service for DFI. Cumulative risk of mortality at 1 year was 8.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.4-12.2). On univariable analysis, mortality was associated with older age (hazard ratio (HR) per year increase 1.08, 95% CI 1.06-1.11, P = 0.001), haemodialysis (HR 3.64, 1.74-7.62, P < 0.001), isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (HR 2.32, 1.05-5.12, P = 0.04) and ischaemic heart disease (HR 2.05, 1.04-4.07, P = 0.04), while indigenous status (HR 0.48, 0.25-0.95, P = 0.04) and HbA1c > 7% (HR 0.45, 0.20-0.99, P < 0.05) were protective. After adjusting for confounders, independent risk factors for mortality were haemodialysis (adjusted HR 5.76, 95% CI 2.28-14.59, P < 0.001) and older age (adjusted HR 1.09, 1.06-1.13, P < 0.001). Patients on haemodialysis had a cumulative risk of mortality of 24.5% (95% CI 14.0-40.8) at 1 year.

CONCLUSION:

There is a high risk of mortality associated with DFI, substantially increased in patients undergoing haemodialysis, highlighting the importance of early and dedicated interventions targeted at this high-risk group

• Listing ID: 6673
• Author/s: Lynar SA, Robinson CH, Boutlis CS, Commons RJ
• Publication: Internal Medicine Journal
• Year: 2019
• Volume: 49
• Issue: 7
• Start Page: 867
• Article Keywords: diabetes mellitus; diabetic foot; haemodialysis; infection; mortality