Risk factors for mortality among patients undergoing major amputations due to infected diabetic feet.

Background: Foot ulcers in patients with diabetes are a major public health problem and are often associated with lower limbs amputation and mortality in this population.

Objectives: To investigate the risk factors associated with mortality in patients with infected diabetic foot ulcers and major lower limb amputations.

Methods: This was an observational, retrospective, case-control study with a sample of 78 patients with infected diabetic foot ulcers who had major lower limb amputations at a Vascular Surgery Service at a university hospital.

Bacterial genus is a risk factor for major amputation in patients with diabetic foot.

Objective: to evaluate whether bacterial genus is a risk factor for major amputation in patients with diabetic foot and infected ulcer.

Methods: we conducted a case-control, observational study of 189 patients with infected ulcers in diabetic feet admitted to the Vascular Surgery Service of the Risoleta Tolentino Neves Hospital, from January 2007 to December 2012. The bacteriological evaluation was performed in deep tissue cultures from the lesions and amputation was considered major when performed above the foot'smiddle tarsus.

Diabetic foot ulcer carries high amputation and mortality rates, particularly in the presence of advanced age, peripheral artery disease and anemia.

Introduction: Foot ulcer is also a clinical marker for limb amputation and for death in diabetic patients. The purpose of this study was to determine amputation and mortality rates and its associated factors in patients with diabetic foot ulcerations in a tertiary hospital in Brazil.

Methods: Retrospective medical records from 654 diabetic foot patients were reviewed.